St. Louis Cardinals vs Tampa Bay Rays Picks and Predictions August 8th 2024

St. Louis is set to host the Rays at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, MO, and they will be looking to extend their two-game winning streak. However, the Rays are only slight underdogs on the money line (+108), and they will be looking to end a two-game losing streak. The over/under line is currently at 8 runs.

First pitch for this one is set for 7:15 PM ET, and BSSUN is carrying the game on TV. Shane Baz is starting for the Rays, and he will be facing off against Kyle Gibson. The Cardinals are 59-56, while the Rays are 57-56.

Tampa Bay vs. St. Louis Key Information

• Teams: Rays at Cardinals
• Where: Busch Stadium St. Louis
• Date: Thursday, August 8th
• Betting Odds STL -127 | TB +108 O/U 8

Shane Baz will be on the mound for the Rays as they take on the Cardinals. Baz has started 4 games this season and has yet to pick up a win. In his last start, he went 5 1/3 innings and struck out 5, giving up 2 runs on 6 hits. He has yet to give up a home run this season.

Over his last 10 games, Yandy Diaz has gone 11/38, and he is currently batting .274 for the season. Diaz is 2nd on the team with 50 RBIs and has four homers. Christopher Morel has really struggled as of late, going just 2/21 in his last six games, and he is batting just .193 for the season. However, Morel does lead the team with 53 RBIs and 20 homers.

As a team, the Rays are batting just .234 this season, and they are 27th in the league in scoring at just 3.9 runs per game. Their team on-base percentage is just 13th in the league, and they are also near the bottom of the league in slugging percentage and OPS.

• The Rays are 5-5 in their last ten games.
• Over their last five games, the Rays are 4-1 vs. the run line.
• Tampa Bay has an over/under record of 2-8 in their last ten games.
• The Rays have an average of 2.8 runs per game over their last five games.
• Across their last ten road games, the Rays are 5-5
• Looking back across the Rays last five games as the favorite, they are 3-2
• Tampa Bay has gone 2-1 in their last three games as the underdog
• In their ten most recent road games, the Rays have averaged 4.1 runs per game on offense

Right-hander Kyle Gibson gets the start for the Cardinals today as he faces off against the Rays. He has made 21 starts this season and has a record of 7-4 with an ERA of 4.04. So far, Gibson has turned in nine quality starts and is averaging 8.15 strikeouts per nine innings. In his last outing, he finished with a no-decision, giving up four earned runs in seven innings of work. Before that, he had given up just one earned run in three straight starts. Gibson has been much better on the road, coming in with a record of 5-1 and an ERA of 3.53 compared to 2-3 with a 5.01 ERA at home.

So far this season, the Cardinals offense has been pretty average in terms of batting average and slugging percentage, but they are just 23rd in the league in runs scored, averaging 4.1 runs per game. At home, they have been slightly better, putting up 4.3 runs per game. As a team, they are 16th in home runs, and their isolated power of .141 is 21st in the league.

Over the past eight games, Masyn Winn has gone 10/33 with two homers and four RBIs. This has pushed his season batting average to a team-best .282. Nolan Arenado is also swinging a hot bat right now, hitting .355 over the team’s last eight games. Arenado also comes into the game on a five-game hitting streak.

• The Cardinals are 5-5 in their last ten games.
• Over their last five games, the Cardinals are 1-4 vs. the run line.
• St. Louis has an over/under record of 6-4 in their last ten games.
• The Cardinals have an average of 3.2 runs per game over their last five games.
• Across their last ten home games, the Cardinals are 4-6
• Looking back across the Cardinals last five games as the favorite, they are 3-2
• St. Louis has gone 1-2 in their last three games as the underdog
• In their ten most recent road games, the Cardinals have averaged 3.4 runs per game on offense

Cardinals’ Quest for a Wild-Card Spot: Can They Sweep the Rays?

The St. Louis Cardinals are pushing hard to stay competitive in the National League wild-card race. With critical contributions from seasoned players like Willson Contreras and Nolan Arenado, they’re eyeing a potential three-game sweep against the Tampa Bay Rays. Let’s dive into what’s been driving the Cardinals’ recent performance, their game strategies, and what this could mean for the rest of the season.

Current Performance of Cardinals Veterans

Veterans are the backbone of any successful team, and for the Cardinals, Willson Contreras and Nolan Arenado have been pivotal. Their contributions on the field can make or break the team’s wild-card chase.

Willson Contreras: Spark in the Cardinals’ Offense

Contreras had hit a rough patch, going nine games without an RBI, but he bounced back with an RBI single in the Cardinals’ 5-2 victory over the Rays. This not only ended his slump but also showcased his ability to boost the team’s offense when it’s most needed. Manager Oliver Marmol praised his energy on the field, highlighting its positive impact on team morale and performance.

Nolan Arenado’s Key Contributions

Arenado has also been a cornerstone for the Cardinals. His two-run double in a recent win is just one example of his clutch performance. In August alone, he’s batting .333 with three doubles and five RBIs. Marmol’s recognition of Arenado’s value underlines his crucial role in the team’s offensive strategy.

Manager Oliver Marmol’s Perspective

Manager Oliver Marmol is pleased with how Contreras and Arenado have been performing lately. He emphasized the importance of Contreras’s vibrant energy and Arenado’s ability to deliver in high-pressure situations. These elements are crucial as the team aims for a sweep against the Rays.

Preview of the Cardinals vs. Rays Matchu

As the Cardinals gear up for the series finale against the Rays, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Securing a sweep would be a massive boost to their wild-card hopes. Both teams will be deploying their pitchers strategically to gain an edge.

Kyle Gibson’s Performance and Expectations

Kyle Gibson is set to start for the Cardinals. With a season record of 7-4 and a 4.04 ERA, he’s been reliable. His last outing saw him striking out seven in seven innings, showing his ability to dominate. Historically, Gibson has a 6-6 record with a 4.26 ERA against the Rays, giving a balanced view of what he might bring to the mound.

Shane Baz’s Potential Impact for the Rays

The Rays will counter with Shane Baz, who has shown promise despite the team’s recent struggles. Baz’s 0-1 record with a 3.60 ERA this season indicates his potential to challenge the Cardinals’ hitters. This game marks his first career appearance against the Cardinals, adding an element of unpredictability.

Rays’ Offensive Struggles

The Rays have faced significant challenges with their offense, especially with runners in scoring position. Recent games saw them go 1-for-12 and 0-for-11 in such scenarios, which has contributed to their struggles in the series.

Brandon Lowe: Bright Spot Amid Struggles

Brandon Lowe has been a standout for the Rays, hitting .344 with six home runs and 16 RBIs over the last 25 games. However, his 0-for-5 performance in the recent game highlights the inconsistency plaguing the Rays’ lineup.

Rays’ Roster Boost: Drew Rasmussen

Pitcher Drew Rasmussen’s return from the 60-day injured list is a big deal for the Rays. His performance, pitching two scoreless innings, shows his potential to stabilize their pitching staff as they navigate the rest of the series and season.

Comparative Analysis: Cardinals vs. Rays

A closer look at both teams reveals strengths and weaknesses that could decide the series outcome. The Cardinals have been leveraging their veterans’ experience, while the Rays need to overcome their offensive hurdles to stay competitive.

Cardinals’ Strategy for Success

To secure the sweep, the Cardinals need to focus on their offensive strategies, utilizing the strengths of players like Contreras and Arenado. Maintaining a strong defense will also be crucial to counter the Rays’ attempts to bounce back.

Rays’ Game Plan to Counter Cardinals

The Rays will need to adjust their offensive approach, aiming for better performance with runners in scoring position. Effective pitching strategies will also be key, with Baz needing to deliver a strong performance to keep the Rays in the game.

Fan Expectations and Prediction

Fans are eagerly awaiting the final game of the series. Cardinals supporters are hopeful for a sweep, while Rays fans are looking for a strong response from their team. Experts predict a closely contested game, with both teams having clear paths to victory.

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Historical Performance in Similar Situation

Looking at past performances, the Cardinals have shown resilience in potential sweep situations, often capitalizing on momentum. Conversely, the Rays have demonstrated the ability to bounce back in must-win games, making this finale a compelling matchup.

Long-term Implications of the Series

The outcome of this series will significantly impact both teams. For the Cardinals, a sweep could propel them further into the wild-card race, while the Rays need to regain their footing to maintain their playoff aspirations.

The Lean

Our lean in this one is to take the Cardinals to win straight-up. We also have this as the lowest projected scoring game of the day, but with the line sitting at 8 runs, we are leaning towards taking the over. Kyle Gibson is our 6th ranked starting pitcher in terms of strikeouts, and we have him working deeper into the game than Shane Baz for the Rays.