MLB Total Lines Today: St. Louis Cardinals vs Texas Rangers 7/31
- A Plus Picks
- Jul 31, 2024, 12:24:49 AM
MLB Total Lines Today: St. Louis Cardinals vs Texas Rangers 7/31
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Game Summary
The St. Louis Cardinals host the Texas Rangers at Busch Stadium on July 31, 2024. This matchup features two teams with contrasting seasons and recent performances. The Cardinals currently hold a record of 55-52, positioning themselves towards the middle of the NL Central, while the Rangers sit at 52-56, struggling to keep pace in the AL West. Historically, these teams have faced off numerous times, with the Rangers holding a slight edge in recent seasons. The Cardinals are looking to bounce back from a rough series against the Washington Nationals, where they dropped two out of three games. Meanwhile, the Rangers are attempting to build momentum after securing a win against St. Louis in their last meeting. This game is crucial for both teams as they seek to improve their records and remain competitive in their respective divisions.
Odds and Betting Lines
| Market | Odds |
|---|---|
| Over/Under | 9.0 |
| St. Louis Cardinals Moneyline | -122 |
| Texas Rangers Moneyline | +100 |
Pitching Probables
| Pitcher | W-L | ERA | WHIP | IP | H | K | BB | HR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andrew Heaney (TEX) | 4-10 | 3.77 | 1.26 | 105.0 | 102 | 105 | 30 | 14 |
| Michael McGreevy (STL) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
Team Previews
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals have struggled at the plate this season, ranking 25th in runs scored with 436. Their batting average of .245 ranks them 14th in the league. Alec Burleson leads the team with a .282 average and 61 RBIs. The Cardinals pitching has been average, with a team ERA of 4.10, placing them 19th in the league. Their bullpen has been reliable, ranking second in saves with 37. However, the team has been plagued by injuries, particularly to Steven Matz, who is expected to be out at least until mid-August.
Texas Rangers
The Texas Rangers have had a rough season but are showing signs of improvement. They rank 17th in the league in runs scored with 458 and have a team batting average of .241. Corey Seager and Adolis Garcia are the key hitters, each contributing significantly to the team's offensive output. The Rangers' pitching staff has struggled, as evidenced by their 4.04 team ERA, which ranks 16th in the league. Andrew Heaney's underwhelming record of 4-10 highlights some inconsistencies. However, they have managed to stay competitive in games, especially against teams like the Cardinals.
Team Injuries
St. Louis Cardinals
| Player Name | Position | Injury | Injury Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steven Matz | SP | Back | Expected to be out until at least Aug 16 |
| Riley O'Brien | RP | Forearm | Expected to be out until at least Jul 30 |
Texas Rangers
| Player Name | Position | Injury | Injury Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Evan Carter | LF | Back | Out for the season |
Betting Trends
- The Cardinals are 54-52 overall this season.
- The Rangers have lost 6 of their last 10 games.
- St. Louis has a strong home record of 28-25.
- Texas struggles on the road, with a 23-33 record.
- Over the last 10 games, the over has hit 6 times for the Cardinals.
Recent Games
St. Louis Cardinals Recent Results
| 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 |
Texas Rangers Recent Results
| Opponent | Score | W/L |
|---|---|---|
| vs Baltimore | L9-1 | L |
| vs Baltimore | L8-4 | L |
| vs Baltimore | W3-2 | W |
| vs Chicago | W4-3 F/10 | W |
| vs Chicago | W3-2 | W |
Team Rankings
| Team | Hitting | Starting Pitching | Relief Pitching | Fielding |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Louis Cardinals | 14th | N/A | 2nd | Tied-26th |
| Texas Rangers | 17th | N/A | Tied-22nd | 28th |
Significant Betting Stats
- Cardinals are 5-2 in their last 7 games against teams with a losing record.
- Rangers are 0-5 in their last 5 games against teams above .500.
- The total has gone over in 6 of the Cardinals' last 8 games.
- Rangers have lost their last 4 games on the road.
- St. Louis is 4-1 in their last 5 home games against Texas.
Weather
Partly sunny with a temperature of 85°F anticipated at game time.
Prediction
Considering the recent offensive struggles of both teams and the overall pitching performances, this game is likely to lean towards the under. Although the Cardinals have a better record, their batting has not been consistent, and the Rangers are likely to struggle against McGreevy, who is making his debut. The total is set at 9.0, which seems a bit high given both teams' recent output. Thus, the recommended pick is for the total to go under.
Pick: Under 9.0 runs
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