In our MLB predictions for Saturday, July 9, we are breaking down the second of a four-game NL Central series between Philadelphia and St. Louis to bring you the best Phillies vs Cardinals betting pick and odds. Philadelphia won a three-game home set against St. Louis last week, while the opening game of this series has been excluded from the analysis.
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Phillies vs Cardinals Betting Pick
This game will be played at Busch Stadium at 2:15 PM ET on Saturday, July 9, 2022.
Why Bet The Cardinals:
✅ Kyle Gibson was projected to take the mound in Friday’s opener at Busch Stadium, but the Phillies decided to move his start for Game 2. Gibson met the Cardinals last Saturday and was obliterated for six earned runs on seven hits and two walks across just four innings of work. The 34-year-old righty has surrendered 14 runs over his previous three outings and 13 innings pitched, so he’s now 4-3 with a troublesome 4.91 ERA and 1.30 WHIP in 16 starts this season.
✅ Last Saturday, the Cardinals became the first team in MLB history with four straight home runs in the first inning. Nolan Arenado hit a two-run no-doubter off Kyle Gibson to start an epic run, so the current Cards lineup now has 13 hits, seven dingers, and 1.503 OPS in 53 at-bats versus Gibson.
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✅ Dakota Hudson (6-5; 4.29 ERA) will get the nod for St. Louis and try to right the ship after surrendering 22 runs in his last five starts and 25.1 frames of work. The Cardinals might have to lean on their bullpen, which holds a terrific 1.30 ERA, 2.93 FIP, and .182 BABIP in the last ten days and 34.2 innings pitched.
Philadelphia Phillies
The Phillies outlasted the Nationals 5-3 last Thursday to clinch a three-game home set against Washington. It was their fifth victory in seven games, as the Phillies improved to 44-39 on the season.
Philadelphia is hitting a firm .275/.335/.491 with eight home runs and ten extra-base hits in the last seven days and 167 at-bats. The Phillies’ pitching staff has accounted for a sharp 2.60 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, and .198 opposing batting average over the last five contests.
St. Louis Cardinals
The Cardinals put an end to their four-game losing streak on Thursday night. They beat the Atlanta Braves 3-2 in 11 innings to avoid a sweep in a four-game road set against the reigning champs and improve to 45-40 on the season.
St. Louis is slashing just .220/.300/.349 in the past seven days. Back in June, the Cards were hitting .258/.321/.428 with 35 home runs and 50 doubles across 29 games and 995 at-bats.