St. Louis Cardinals vs Texas Rangers Picks and Predictions July 30th 2024

Rangers Aim to Gain Momentum in Series Against Cardinals

As the MLB trade deadline approaches, the Texas Rangers and St. Louis Cardinals are making significant moves to strengthen their rosters for a stronger push towards the playoffs.

Current Series Performance and Key Matchup

The Texas Rangers broke a three-game losing streak with a crucial 6-3 win against the St. Louis Cardinals, who have struggled with 10 losses in their last 16 games. The next game in this series will feature a marquee pitching matchup with Max Scherzer for the Rangers facing Lance Lynn for the Cardinals.

Weather and Betting Info

• Forecast: Clear skies, near 100°F
• Over/Under Line: 8.5 runs
• Money Line: Rangers -121 | Cardinals +102
• Broadcast: 7:45 PM ET on BSSW, from Busch Stadium, St. Louis

Max Scherzer’s Outlook

Scherzer, with a season record of 2-3 and a 3.57 ERA, has been a key player for the Rangers. His WHIP is a solid 1.07, and in his last game, he allowed just one run over six innings against the White Sox. Scherzer has struggled slightly on the road with a 3.22 ERA and has given up five home runs in 35 1/3 innings this season.

Key Rangers Players

• Corey Seager: Batting .382 in his last nine games, with one home run and two RBIs.
• Marcus Semien: Batting .289 over the same span, with two homers and two RBIs.
• Adolis Garcia: Leads the team with 54 RBIs and is second in home runs with 18, but needs to improve his .211 batting average.

Team Stats and Trends

• Runs/Game: 4.3 (14th in MLB)
• Recent Performance: 6-4 in the last 10 games; 5-5 in the last 10 road games.
• As Favorites: 4-1 in the last five games.
• As Underdogs: 0-3 in the last three games.

Rangers’ Strategic Roster Enhancements

The Rangers have been busy bolstering their roster. They acquired Carson Kelly from the Detroit Tigers to improve both their offense and defense. Kelly’s impressive throw-out rate and nine home runs this season make him a valuable addition.

The team also traded for left-handed pitching prospect Walter Pennington from the Kansas City Royals in exchange for Michael Lorenzen. This move aims to enhance their bullpen depth. The return of Josh Jung and Cody Bradford from injury is expected to provide a much-needed boost. However, Jon Gray’s placement on the 15-day injured list due to a groin strain is a setback.

Cardinals’ Tactical Acquisitions

The Cardinals, looking to turn their season around, acquired Erick Fedde and Tommy Pham in a major trade involving the White Sox and Dodgers. Pham’s competitive nature is expected to bring a new dynamic to the team. In return, they traded Tommy Edman and a pitching prospect.

John Mozeliak, the Cardinals’ President of Baseball Operations, highlighted Pham’s competitiveness as a crucial asset. The team is also considering additional trades to bolster their bullpen, with potential moves involving Giovanny Gallegos and Dylan Carlson.

Lance Lynn’s Outlook Lynn, with a 5-4 record and a 4.17 ERA, has made 20 starts this season, including six quality starts. He averages 8.35 strikeouts per nine innings. In his last start, Lynn went five innings without allowing a run against the Pirates. However, his road ERA stands at 6.17, compared to 3.99 at home.

Key Cardinals Players

• Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado: Both have hit two home runs in the last six games, with Goldschmidt batting .304 and Arenado struggling at .190.
• Willson Contreras: Has hit two home runs recently but is batting just .174.

Team Stats and Trends

• Runs/Game: 4.1 (24th in MLB)
• Batting Average: .245 (11th in MLB)
• Slugging Percentage: 17th in MLB
• Recent Performance: 4-6 in the last 10 games; 6-4 in the last 10 home games.

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The Lean

In this matchup, there’s a lean towards the Cardinals winning at home. The game is expected to be high-scoring, and betting the over on the 8.5 runs line could be favorable. While Lance Lynn ranks as the 7th worst strikeout pitcher, Max Scherzer ranks 12th, suggesting potential for a higher offensive output.

Both teams are clearly intent on refining their rosters to better compete as the season progresses. The upcoming games will be crucial for both squads as they aim to solidify their positions and push towards the playoffs.