Atlanta Braves vs St. Louis Cardinals Picks and Predictions July 21st 2024

Braves and Cardinals Face Crucial Series Finale

The Atlanta Braves and St. Louis Cardinals are gearing up for a critical rubber game this Sunday, one that could have a major impact on their playoff standings. With the season series tied at 2-2 after splitting a doubleheader on Saturday, this game is crucial. The winner will hold the tiebreaker if these teams end up tied at the end of the season.

Game Recap

Saturday’s Doubleheader

• Game 1: Atlanta clinched a nail-biting 3-2 win in 10 innings, showing their resilience and clutch performance.
• Game 2: St. Louis roared back with a commanding 9-5 victory, highlighting their offensive firepower.

Season Series Implications

If Atlanta wins, they even the season series at 3-3. But if St. Louis takes it, they’ll secure a 4-2 edge and a vital tiebreaker over the Braves. With Atlanta holding a 3.5-game lead over St. Louis for the first National League wild-card spot, this game is pivotal.

Pitching Matchup

St. Louis Cardinals

Miles Mikolas (7-8, 5.13 ERA):

• Mikolas struggled in his last outing against the Chicago Cubs, giving up six runs on eight hits, including a career-high four homers over 5 1/3 innings.
• Career vs. Braves: 2-4 with a 3.89 ERA in seven appearances (six starts).
• Despite recent struggles, Manager Oliver Marmol has confidence in Mikolas and the bullpen, citing their overall solid performance this season.

Atlanta Braves

Spencer Schwellenbach (3-4, 4.43 ERA):

• The rookie has secured his spot as Atlanta’s No. 5 starter since his promotion from Double-A Mississippi in May.
• In his last start on July 12, Schwellenbach shone against the San Diego Padres, allowing just one run on three hits over seven innings.
• Previous start vs. Cardinals: On June 24, he allowed four runs on eight hits in five innings, resulting in a 4-3 loss.

Key Players

St. Louis Cardinals

Alec Burleson:

• Burleson has been a powerhouse for the Cardinals, going 4-for-9 with four RBIs in the doubleheader.
• Leading the team with 57 RBIs and boasting 39 RBIs since June 1, the most in the NL.
• Batting .292, his consistent performance has been key for St. Louis.

Atlanta Braves

Marcell Ozuna:

• Ozuna kept his post-All-Star break hot streak alive with two homers in Saturday’s nightcap, bringing his season total to 28, second in the NL.
• With seven homers in his past 12 games and an NL-best 79 RBIs, Ozuna’s power is a major force in Atlanta’s lineup.

Eddie Rosario:

• Recently re-signed by Atlanta after being released by the Washington Nationals, Rosario has made an immediate impact.
• Homered in each game of the doubleheader and has hit safely in six of nine games since rejoining the Braves.
• His familiarity with the team (having played with Atlanta from 2021-23) has made for a smooth transition back.

Game Implications

The Pirates are looking to keep their winning streak alive and further solidify their standing in the league. A sweep of the Phillies would not only extend their streak but also serve as a statement against one of the top teams in the majors. For the Phillies, breaking the losing streak and regaining their early-season form is crucial as they aim to maintain their lead in the standings.

Conclusion

Sunday’s game between the Braves and Cardinals isn’t just the finale of their season series; it’s a game with huge playoff implications. With both teams having so much on the line, the matchup between veteran Miles Mikolas and rookie Spencer Schwellenbach will be critical. Key performances from players like Alec Burleson and Marcell Ozuna will likely determine the outcome. As the Braves look to even the series and the Cardinals aim to secure the tiebreaker, fans are in for a thrilling and competitive showdown.