Free MLB Spread Picks: Royals vs Cardinals - 7/9
- Mr Wager
- Jul 9, 2024, 12:06:46 AM
Free MLB Spread Picks: Kansas City Royals vs St. Louis Cardinals - 7/9
### Game Summary The Kansas City Royals are set to face off against the St. Louis Cardinals on July 9 at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri. This interleague matchup features two teams with contrasting seasons so far. The Royals, sitting at 48-43, have been relatively inconsistent, while the Cardinals with a 49-43 record, have been more stable but still face their own challenges. Both teams are coming into this game with mixed results in their recent games. The Royals have had a rough patch on the road, losing their last two games against the Colorado Rockies. On the other hand, the Cardinals have been more successful recently, securing a win against the Washington Nationals in their last outing. This game promises to be an exciting clash between two teams vying to solidify their positions in their respective divisions. ### Odds and Betting Lines
| Market | Odds |
|---|---|
| Over/Under | 9.5 |
| Kansas City Royals Spread | -1.5 (+162) |
| St. Louis Cardinals Spread | +1.5 (-196) |
| Kansas City Royals Moneyline | -140 |
| St. Louis Cardinals Moneyline | +120 |
### Pitching Probables
| Player | W-L | ERA | WHIP | IP | H | K | BB | HR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michael Wacha (STL) | 5-6 | 3.74 | 1.22 | 84.1 | 77 | 75 | 26 | 8 |
| Andre Pallante (KC) | 4-3 | 4.00 | 1.44 | 45.0 | 46 | 36 | 19 | 4 |
### Team Previews #### Kansas City Royals - **Hitting:** The Royals' offense has been middle-of-the-pack, ranking 16th in hits and batting average at .243. Masyn Winn leads the team with a .289 batting average, while Nolan Gorman provides the power with 17 home runs and 45 RBIs. - **Relief Pitching:** The Royals' bullpen has been solid, with the team ranking 1st in saves (34). However, their overall ERA of 3.95 ranks 15th in the league. - **Fielding:** Kansas City has committed 46 errors this season, placing them tied for 17th. This indicates a relatively average defensive performance. - **Starting Pitchers:** Andre Pallante, the probable starter for this game, has a 4-3 record with a 4.00 ERA and a 1.44 WHIP over 45 innings pitched. #### St. Louis Cardinals - **Hitting:** The Cardinals have a slightly better offense, ranking 13th in hits and batting average at .246. Bobby Witt Jr. leads the team with a .324 average, while he also leads in home runs (15) and RBIs (61). - **Relief Pitching:** Their bullpen has been effective, with 22 saves (16th) and an overall ERA of 3.79, ranking 10th in the league. - **Fielding:** St. Louis has committed 45 errors this season, ranking 20th in the league, indicating some defensive issues. - **Starting Pitchers:** Michael Wacha, the starting pitcher for this game, has a 5-6 record with a 3.74 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP over 84.1 innings pitched. ### Team Injuries #### Kansas City Royals
| Player Name | Position | Injury | Injury Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dan Altavilla | RP | Oblique | Expected to be out until at least Sep 18 |
| Josh Taylor | RP | Biceps | Expected to be out until at least Jul 25 |
#### St. Louis Cardinals
| Player Name | Position | Injury | Injury Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Riley O'Brien | RP | Forearm | Expected to be out until at least Jul 19 |
### Betting Trends - The Royals are 49-43 against the spread this season. - The Cardinals are 45-44 against the spread this season. - The Royals have hit the over in 38 games this season. - The Cardinals have hit the over in 39 games this season. ### Recent Games #### Kansas City Royals
| Opponent | Score | W/L |
|---|---|---|
| @ Colorado | L 4-2 | L |
| @ Colorado | L 3-1 | L |
| @ Colorado | W 10-1 | W |
| vs Tampa Bay | L 10-8 | L |
| vs Tampa Bay | W 4-2 | W |
#### St. Louis Cardinals
| Opponent | Score | W/L |
|---|---|---|
| @ Washington | W 6-0 | W |
| @ Washington | W 8-3 | W |
| @ Washington | L 14-6 | L |
| @ Washington | W 7-6 F/11 | W |
| @ Pittsburgh | W 3-2 F/10 | W |
### Team Rankings
| Category | Kansas City Royals | St. Louis Cardinals |
|---|---|---|
| Hitting | 16th | 13th |
| Starting Pitching | 15th | 10th |
| Relief Pitching | 1st | 16th |
| Fielding | 17th | 20th |
### Significant Betting Stats - The Royals are 49-43 against the spread this season. - The Cardinals have a 45-44 record against the spread. - Kansas City has hit the over in 38 games this season. - St. Louis has hit the over in 39 games this season. - The Royals are 6-4 in their last 10 games. - The Cardinals are 7-3 in their last 10 games. - Kansas City has a 24-24 road record. - St. Louis has a 31-18 home record. - The Royals have a bullpen ERA of 3.95. - The Cardinals have a bullpen ERA of 3.79. ### Weather The weather for the game on July 9 at Busch Stadium is expected to be sunny with a temperature around 91°F. You can find more details at [Accuweather](http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/busch-stadium-mo/63101/hourly-weather-forecast/20910_poi?day=11&hbhhour=18&lang=en-us). ### Prediction **Pick: Kansas City Royals -1.5 (+162)**
