Toronto Blue Jays vs St. Louis Cardinals Picks and Predictions September 13th 2024

Friday’s interleague matchup between the Cardinals and Blue Jays has a first pitch set for 7:07 PM ET from the Rogers Centre in Toronto. The Cardinals are 74-72 this season, while the Blue Jays are 69-78. St. Louis is starting Erick Fedde, while Kevin Gausman is on the mound for the Blue Jays.

The Blue Jays are the betting favorite at -132, while the moneyline odds have the Cardinals at +111. The over/under line is currently at 8 runs, and this one will be televised on SNET. In the NL Central, the Cardinals are currently 3rd, while the Blue Jays are 5th in the AL East.

St. Louis vs. Toronto Key Information

• Teams: Cardinals at Blue Jays
• Where: Rogers Centre Toronto
• Date: Friday, September 13th
• Betting Odds TOR -132 | STL +111 O/U 8

The Cardinals Can Win If…

Right-hander Erick Fedde gets the start for the Cardinals today as he faces the Blue Jays on the road. He has made 28 starts this season and has a record of 8-9 with a 3.39 ERA. Fedde’s WHIP for the season is currently 1.17. In his last outing, he took the loss, going 4 2/3 innings and giving up one earned run on five hits. Fedde has given up a homer in each of his last three outings. Looking back further, he has allowed a homer in four of his last five trips to the mound. Opponents are batting .226 off Fedde this season.

St. Louis is hoping that Brendan Donovan can keep his current hot streak going, as he has gone 7/20 (.350) over his last six games with a home run. This has pushed his season average to .272, which is 2nd best on the team. Donovan also comes into the game on a three-game hitting streak. Paul Goldschmidt is also swinging the bat well of late, going 9/31 in his last eight games with four RBIs.

For the season, the Cardinals are batting a collective .247, which is 10th in the league. As a team, they are averaging 4.1 runs per game, which is 24th in the MLB. Their team OPS of .699 is also 19th in the league. St. Louis has been led in home runs by Alec Burleson and Paul Goldschmidt, who each have 21 homers.

Before placing any bets, ensure you review our comprehensive MLB Betting Guide to make informed decisions.

• The Cardinals are 6-4 in their last ten games.
• Over their last five games, the Cardinals are 2-3 vs. the run line.
• St. Louis has an over/under record of 4-5-1 in their last ten games.
• The Cardinals have an average of 2.8 runs per game over their last five games.
• Across their last ten road games, the Cardinals are 6-4
• 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 4.7 runs per game on offense

The Blue Jays Can Win If…

Toronto is sending Kevin Gausman to the mound today vs. the Cardinals, and he will be looking to bounce back from a rough outing vs. the Braves. In that start, he went 6 innings, giving up 3 earned runs, and took the loss. Before that outing, he had pitched well, picking up the win vs. the Angels and allowing just 1 earned run in 7 innings of work. Gausman’s overall record is 12-11, and his ERA is 4.09. Out of his 28 starts, he has 14 quality starts, two complete games, and one shutout. Per nine innings, Gausman is averaging 8.28 strikeouts and 2.76 walks.

So far this season, the Blue Jays offense is averaging 4.2 runs per game, which is 20th in the league. They have been a bit better on the road, averaging 4.3 runs per contest. As a team, the Blue Jays are batting .242, which is 13th in the league, and are also one of the league’s best teams at avoiding strikeouts. Toronto’s home run total of 148 is just 21st in the league.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has been the Blue Jays’ best hitter this season, as he is batting .321 with 28 home runs and 94 RBIs. He is also on a 7-game hitting streak, during which he has gone 10/19 with three homers. George Springer is 2nd on the team with 19 homers but is batting just .221 for the season.

• The Blue Jays are 3-7 in their last ten games.
• Over their last five games, the Blue Jays are 4-1 vs. the run line.
• Toronto has an over/under record of 4-5-1 in their last ten games.
• The Blue Jays have an average of 4.4 runs per game over their last five games.
• Across their last ten home games, the Blue Jays are 4-6
• Looking back across the Blue Jays last five games as the favorite, they are 5-0
• Toronto has gone 1-2 in their last three games as the underdog
• In their ten most recent road games, the Blue Jays have averaged 4.3 runs per game on offense

The Lean

Today’s game between the Cardinals and Blue Jays should be a low-scoring affair, but with the line sitting at 8 runs, we are still leaning towards taking the over. As for a straight-up pick, we like the Blue Jays to come out on top. Toronto’s offense is our 12th highest-rated home run-hitting team, and Kevin Gausman is our 16th ranked starting pitcher in terms of strikeouts.

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Jays Aim to Bounce Back Against Cardinals After Heartbreaking No-Hitter Loss

The Toronto Blue Jays are looking to regroup as they start a three-game series against the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday night. This comes right after a crushing defeat at the hands of the New York Mets, where pitcher Bowden Francis saw his no-hitter slip away in the ninth inning, leading to a disappointing 6-2 loss.

Toronto’s Heartbreak: Francis’ No-Hitter Broken in the Ninth

It was almost a historic moment for the Blue Jays’ right-hander Bowden Francis. He carried a no-hitter into the ninth inning on Wednesday night against the Mets, but everything changed with a leadoff home run from Francisco Lindor, who shattered the dream and tied the game at 1-1.

After Francis left the game, Toronto’s bullpen couldn’t hold it together. Five more runs poured in during the ninth, leading to a tough 6-2 defeat, sealing the series for the Mets. For Francis, this was the second time in just four starts that a no-hitter was ruined in the ninth inning. The emotional toll was heavy for both him and the team.

John Schneider, Toronto’s manager, expressed the team’s frustration, stating, “So many things have to go your way. A borderline pitch, a defensive play, even how you’re feeling physically—it all has to line up perfectly.”

Francis’ near-miss is even more bitter because the Blue Jays haven’t thrown a no-hitter since Dave Stieb accomplished the feat back on September 2, 1990.

Blue Jays’ Recent Struggles: Battling Through a Tough Stretch

It hasn’t been an easy road for the Blue Jays lately. Toronto (69-78) heads into this series with the Cardinals after a rough patch, winning just 4 out of their last 14 games. Despite early-season hopes of spoiling playoff hopes for others, the team has dropped four straight series, a far cry from the preseason optimism surrounding the team.

One of the biggest factors in their struggles has been the slump of star first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. While Guerrero’s overall numbers—.321 average, 28 home runs, and 94 RBIs—look great, he’s struggled lately. Over his last seven games, he’s hitting just .179 (5-for-28) with no home runs, three RBIs, and three walks.

However, there’s hope on the horizon for Guerrero and the team. He’s been much better at home, batting .347 with 15 home runs and 49 RBIs in 70 games at the Rogers Centre. The Jays are banking on a return to home soil helping Guerrero rediscover his groove.

Cardinals’ Playoff Push: Fighting for a Wild Card Spot

Meanwhile, the St. Louis Cardinals (74-72) are heading into Toronto after a solid 6-1 win over the Cincinnati Reds, capping off a 3-3 homestand. They’re still in the hunt for that last National League Wild Card spot, although with six games to make up, time is running out.

For the Cardinals, every game counts. A recent standout has been second baseman Thomas Saggese, a new call-up who’s been making an impact. Saggese notched his first two major league hits and an RBI during Thursday’s win, and his strong play has caught the attention of the team.

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol praised the 22-year-old rookie, saying, “It’s been fun watching him play. He’s gritty and works hard. It was great seeing him get that first hit out of the way.”

Veteran players like Brendan Donovan and Masyn Winn have also been stepping up. Donovan launched a two-run homer as a pinch hitter, while Winn added a solo shot in the victory over the Reds.

You can always refer to the current MLB Odds to stay up to date with the latest betting lines.

Friday’s Matchup: Gausman vs. Fedde on the Mound

Friday’s opener will feature Toronto’s Kevin Gausman (12-11, 4.09 ERA) against St. Louis right-hander Erick Fedde (8-9, 3.39 ERA). Gausman has a 3.43 ERA in 10 career games against the Cardinals, but his 1-5 record in those outings isn’t too inspiring. The Blue Jays will be counting on him to bounce back and help stop their recent skid.

On the other side, Fedde has faced Toronto before, allowing five runs over six innings back in May when he was with the Chicago White Sox. Overall, he holds a 4.87 ERA in four starts against the Blue Jays, so Toronto might see this as an opportunity to get their bats going.

Future Bright Spots: Francis and Saggese Give a Glimmer of Hope

Despite their recent rough stretch, Bowden Francis has been a shining light for Toronto. In his last six starts, Francis has gone 4-1 with an impressive 1.26 ERA and an almost unheard-of 0.40 WHIP. His standout performance has put him in serious consideration for a regular spot in the starting rotation next season.

Francis isn’t lacking confidence either. He said after the Mets game, “I can do this. I can start in the big leagues. I’ve always believed that.”

For the Cardinals, Thomas Saggese’s debut has been a bright spot in their push for the playoffs. Marmol’s trust in the young infielder shows the team believes Saggese could be a key piece not just for this season, but in the years ahead as well.

Toronto Makes Roster Moves: Adding Brett de Geus to the Mix

In other Blue Jays news, Toronto made a move ahead of Friday’s game by claiming right-hander Brett de Geus off waivers from the Miami Marlins. He’s been optioned to Triple-A Buffalo for now, while right-hander Yerry Rodriguez has been designated for assignment.

Storylines to Keep an Eye On

• Can the Blue Jays Bounce Back? After a tough stretch, Toronto is hoping to respond positively following the emotional loss of Francis’ no-hitter. Can they regroup and play spoiler to the Cardinals’ playoff hopes?
• Will Guerrero Find His Swing Again? Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s recent struggles at the plate have weighed heavily on the Jays’ offense. Can he rediscover his form in front of the home crowd?
• Cardinals’ Playoff Push: St. Louis is clinging to postseason dreams, and they’ll need young players like Thomas Saggese to continue stepping up if they want to make a serious run.
• Francis’ Future Role: As Bowden Francis continues to impress, will he be a regular in Toronto’s 2024 starting rotation? His recent performances suggest he’s ready for the challenge.

Conclusion: Both Teams Have Something to Prove

As the Blue Jays and Cardinals meet, both teams have plenty at stake. Toronto is looking to salvage some pride and build momentum heading into the offseason, while St. Louis is in must-win mode as they fight for a Wild Card spot. With young talent emerging on both sides, this series promises to deliver some high-stakes baseball.