Cardinals vs Marlins: MLB Picks and Predictions for 3/17

The St. Louis Cardinals and the Miami Marlins are set to face off on March 17, 2023, in what promises to be an exciting matchup. As we approach the halfway point of the season, both teams will be looking to gain ground in their respective divisions.

Team 1 Analysis: St. Louis Cardinals

The St. Louis Cardinals have been one of the more consistent teams in the league this season, posting a record of 10-6. They have been particularly impressive on the road, going 5-2 so far this season. Offensively, Brendan Donovan has been the team's biggest contributor, leading the team in home runs and RBIs with four and ten, respectively. Matthew Koperniak has also been a standout with a perfect batting average of 1.000. The Cardinals' pitching staff has been solid, with the team posting a team ERA of 4.07 and a WHIP of 1.31. They have struck out 133 batters so far this season, while walking 52.

The Cardinals are coming off a solid win against the New York Mets, where they won 4-1. The team was firing on all cylinders, with Adam Wainwright throwing six innings and allowing only one run. The bullpen was also impressive, with Giovanny Gallegos, Genesis Cabrera, and Alex Reyes combining for three scoreless innings.

Team 2 Analysis: Miami Marlins

The Miami Marlins have had a tough start to the season, posting a record of 4-11. They have a home record of 2-6, which does not bode well for their matchup against the Cardinals. Avisail Garcia has been one of the bright spots for the Marlins, hitting two home runs and driving in two runs so far this season. However, the Marlins' offense has been lackluster overall, scoring only 48 runs in 15 games. On the pitching side, the Marlins have struggled, posting a team ERA of 5.67 and a WHIP of 1.45. Their pitching staff has issued 47 walks and struck out 137 batters so far this season.

The Marlins are coming off a win against the Houston Astros, where they won 1-0. Sandy Alcantara was the star of the show, throwing seven scoreless innings while striking out six batters. Dylan Floro and Anthony Bass also pitched scoreless innings out of the bullpen to seal the win.

Injuries

The Cardinals have Paul DeJong listed as day-to-day, while the Marlins have three players on their injury report. Jordan Groshans is day-to-day, while Sixto Sanchez is out, and Anthony Bender is on the 60-day IL. The Marlins have had their fair share of injuries this season, which has undoubtedly affected their performance on the field.

Prediction

Despite playing on the road, the St. Louis Cardinals are the clear favorites in this matchup. They have a strong offense, led by Brendan Donovan and Matthew Koperniak, and a solid pitching staff. The Miami Marlins have struggled in both areas and have a poor home record. The Cardinals have the momentum, having won their last game, while the Marlins have been inconsistent throughout the season.

Our pick is the St. Louis Cardinals to win this game. They have the better overall team and are coming off a solid win against a tough Mets team. Look for the Cardinals to dominate this game from start to finish.

Pick: St. Louis Cardinals

In conclusion, KingPin.pro's MLB picks and predictions for the March 17, 2023 matchup between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Miami Marlins is to bet on the Cardinals to win. With their strong hitting and pitching, and the Marlins' struggles in both areas, the Cardinals are the clear choice. However, it's worth noting that anything can happen in baseball, and the Marlins could surprise us with a strong performance. The Cardinals will need to stay focused and not underestimate their opponents if they want to come away with the win.

The Marlins have been struggling to score runs this season, which is a significant concern for their fans. They have been shut out twice this season and have only scored more than five runs in a game once. The team's batting average is also low at .228, which is second-worst in the league. The Marlins' pitching staff has also struggled this season, posting a team ERA of 5.67, which is the worst in the league. They have given up 68 earned runs in 107 innings pitched and have only struck out 137 batters, which is also second-worst in the league.

On the other hand, the Cardinals have been consistent on both sides of the ball this season. Their offense has scored 80 runs in 16 games, which is good for fifth-best in the league. The team's batting average is .253, which is also in the top ten in the league. The Cardinals' pitching staff has been impressive, with a team ERA of 4.07 and a WHIP of 1.31. They have only given up 62 earned runs in 137 innings pitched and have struck out 133 batters.

In terms of recent form, the Cardinals have won four out of their last five games, while the Marlins have won two out of their last five. The Cardinals have been playing with a lot of confidence recently, and it's hard to see them slipping up against the struggling Marlins.

Pick: St. Louis Cardinals