MLB Spread Guide: St. Louis Cardinals vs Tampa Bay Rays - 8/7

MLB Spread Guide: St. Louis Cardinals vs Tampa Bay Rays - 8/7

### Game Summary The St. Louis Cardinals are set to host the Tampa Bay Rays at Busch Stadium on August 7th. Both teams come into this game with identical records of 57 wins and 56 losses, making this matchup crucial for positioning in the playoff race. The Cardinals have been strong at home with a record of 29-26, while the Rays have struggled slightly on the road, posting a 27-25 record. Historically, the Cardinals have had the upper hand in recent matchups, but the Rays' pitching has been formidable this season, especially with Taj Bradley taking the mound. Bradley boasts a strong 2.71 ERA and has been a key contributor to the Rays’ success. On the other side, Erick Fedde, the Cardinals' starter, has a decent 3.34 ERA but will need to step up against a Rays lineup that can be explosive. Recent performances indicate a slight edge for the Cardinals, who have shown resilience despite recent losses. Their batting average of .245 puts them in the middle tier of the league, while the Rays are slightly behind at .235. However, the Rays have been more effective in clutch situations, often managing to pull through in tight games. As the teams prepare for this pivotal game, fans can expect an exciting matchup filled with high stakes, especially for the Cardinals as they look to solidify their playoff aspirations.
### Odds and Betting Lines

Market	Team	Odds
Over/Under	Not available	N/A
Spread	St. Louis Cardinals	+1.5
Spread	Tampa Bay Rays	-1.5
Moneyline	St. Louis Cardinals	-210
Moneyline	Tampa Bay Rays	+172

### Pitching Probables

Pitcher	Team	W-L	ERA	Strikeouts	Innings Pitched
Erick Fedde	St. Louis Cardinals	7-5	3.34	112	126.2
Taj Bradley	Tampa Bay Rays	6-5	2.71	103	86.1

### Team Previews **St. Louis Cardinals** The Cardinals have had a mixed season but have shown signs of improvement, especially at home. Their offense, led by players like Nolan Gorman with 19 home runs and Alec Burleson with 64 RBIs, has been a significant factor in their success. The pitching staff, while not elite, has been serviceable, with Fedde being a reliable option on the mound, showing a solid ERA of 3.34 and average strikeouts. In terms of relief pitching, they have accumulated 38 saves this season, which is tied for first in the league. However, their overall ERA of 4.10 reflects some struggles, particularly against more potent lineups. Fielding has also been an issue, with 50 errors on the season. **Tampa Bay Rays** The Rays are known for their strong pitching and solid defense. Taj Bradley has been a standout performer with a 2.71 ERA and 103 strikeouts, making him a formidable opponent. The team has a total of 35 saves, indicating a reliable bullpen that can close out games when needed. Offensively, the Rays have struggled, ranking 28th in runs scored with 441. Yandy Diaz leads the team with a batting average of .277 and has contributed significantly with 50 RBIs. The team will need to find a way to generate more offense to support their pitching staff, especially in tight games like this one.
### Team Injuries **St. Louis Cardinals**

Player Name	Position	Injury	Injury Status
Drew Rom	SP	Shoulder	Expected to be out until at least Sep 15
Mike Siani	CF	Oblique	Expected to be out until at least Aug 30

**Tampa Bay Rays**

Player Name	Position	Injury	Injury Status
Yandy Diaz	1B	Wrist	Probable for Aug 6
Richard Lovelady	RP	Forearm	Expected to be out until at least Aug 6
Ryan Pepiot	SP	Knee	Expected to be out until at least Aug 9

### Betting Trends - The Cardinals are 4-6 in their last 10 games. - The Rays are 6-4 in their last 10 games. - The Cardinals have a 29-26 home record this season. - The Rays have a 27-25 away record this season. - The over has hit in 6 of the Cardinals' last 10 games.
### Recent Games **St. Louis Cardinals**

Opponent	Score	W/L
@ Atlanta	Postponed	Postponed
@ Atlanta	L3-2 F/10	L
@ Atlanta	W9-5	W
@ Atlanta	W6-2	W
@ Pittsburgh	L2-1	L

**Tampa Bay Rays**

Opponent	Score	W/L
@ New York	L6-1	L
@ New York	W9-1	W
@ New York	W6-4	W
@ New York	L9-1	L
@ Toronto	W4-2	W

### Team Rankings

Category	St. Louis Cardinals	Tampa Bay Rays
Hitting	Ranked 13th	Ranked 23rd
Starting Pitching	Ranked 18th	Ranked 15th
Relief Pitching	Tied 1st (38 saves)	Tied 3rd (35 saves)
Fielding	Ranked 26th	Ranked 17th

### Significant Betting Stats - The Cardinals are 5-2 in their last 7 games against the Rays. - The Rays are 4-6 in their last 10 games. - The over has hit in 6 of the Cardinals' last 10 games. - The Cardinals are 4-1 in their last 5 home games. - The Rays have a solid record against teams with losing records. - The Cardinals have an average of 4.8 runs per home game. - The Rays have struggled to score on the road, averaging 3.4 runs. - The Cardinals' bullpen has a 3.90 ERA. - The Rays have a 1.14 WHIP, indicating solid pitching. - The Cardinals are 21-30 against left-handed starters.
### Weather - Conditions: Partly sunny - Temperature: 79°F
### Prediction