St. Louis Cardinals vs Texas Rangers Picks and Predictions July 31st 2024

Backed by new arrivals, Cards seek series win over Rangers

Wednesday’s interleague matchup between the Rangers and Cardinals has a first pitch set for 2:15 PM ET from Busch Stadium in St. Louis, MO. The Cardinals are the slight favorite on the money line, with their odds sitting at -109 compared to the Rangers at -108. The over/under line is currently at 9 runs.

Andrew Heaney will be starting for the Rangers, while the Cardinals are sending Michael McGreevy to the mound. Texas is 3rd in the AL West, while the Cardinals are 2nd in the NL Central. BSSW will be televising this game.

Texas vs. St. Louis Key Information

• Teams: Rangers at Cardinals
• Where: Busch Stadium St. Louis
• Date: Wednesday, July 31st
• Betting Odds STL -109 | TEX -108 O/U 9

The Rangers Can Win If…

Left-hander Andrew Heaney gets the start for the Rangers today as he faces the Cardinals on the road. He has made 20 starts this season and has a record of 4-10 with a 3.77 ERA. Looking at his overall numbers, opponents are batting .243 this season. Heaney’s last outing came on July 26th, where he finished with a no-decision after giving up four earned runs in five innings of work. Before that outing, he had won two straight starts. Per nine innings, Heaney is averaging 9 strikeouts and 2.57 walks.

Corey Seager has been swinging a hot bat of late for the Rangers, going 12/35 in his last nine games with a home run and two RBIs. For the season, he is batting .273 with a team-high 19 homers. Adolis Garcia also has 18 homers but is batting just .211 this season. Marcus Semien comes into the game with a batting average of .243 and has gone deep 15 times.

As a team, the Rangers are 17th in the league in scoring at 4.2 runs per game. They are also just 16th in home runs and have a collective batting average of .240. Texas has three players on a current hitting streak, with Nathaniel Lowe and Wyatt Langford each at five games.

• The Rangers are 6-4 in their last ten games.
• Over their last five games, the Rangers are 2-3 vs. the run line.
• Texas has an over/under record of 6-4 in their last ten games.
• The Rangers have an average of 3.6 runs per game over their last five games.
• Across their last ten road games, the Rangers are 4-6
• Looking back across the Rangers last five games as the favorite, they are 3-2
• Texas has gone 0-3 in their last three games as the underdog
• In their ten most recent road games, the Rangers have averaged 3.4 runs per game on offense

The Cardinals Can Win If…

The Cardinals will be sending Michael McGreevy to the mound today against the Rangers. He’s eager to kick off his season with a solid performance, marking his debut for the year.

So far this season, the Cardinals offense has been pretty average, as they are 23rd in runs per game at 4.1. They are also just 17th in home runs and have a collective batting average of .245. One thing that has been a positive for the Cardinals is their isolated power numbers, as they are 17th in the league in that category.

Over his last 10 games, Paul Goldschmidt has gone 10/39 with three homers, and Willson Contreras has also gone deep three times while hitting .263. Brendan Donovan and Alec Burleson are 3rd and 1st on the team in RBIs, respectively, and both have hit at least nine homers this season. Nolan Gorman is just batting .202 this season, but his 19 homers are the most on the team.

• 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 5-5 in their last ten games.
• The Cardinals have an average of 5.2 runs per game over their last five games.
• Across their last ten home games, the Cardinals are 6-4
• Looking back across the Cardinals last five games as the favorite, they are 2-3
• St. Louis has gone 2-1 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 Lean

Despite this Rangers vs. Cardinals matchup being one of the lowest-scoring games of the day, we are actually leaning towards taking the over. As for a straight-up pick, we like the Cardinals to come out on top. St. Louis starter Michael McGreevy has the lowest hits allowed projection among today’s starters, and Texas starter Andrew Heaney has the 5th best strikeout projection.

The St. Louis Cardinals are strategically positioning themselves for a strong finish this season. By reacquiring Tommy Pham and debuting prospect Michael McGreevy, the Cardinals aim to address key weaknesses and secure a series win against the Texas Rangers. This article delves into the implications of these moves and their potential to change the Cardinals’ trajectory.

Tommy Pham’s Return

Immediate Impact

Tommy Pham’s reacquisition by the St. Louis Cardinals in a three-team trade marks a strategic move to bolster their lineup against left-handed pitching. Pham, a familiar face who played parts of five seasons with the Cardinals, wasted no time proving his value.

Grand Slam Highlight

In a pinch-hit role on Tuesday, Pham launched a grand slam, sealing an 8-1 victory over the Texas Rangers. This powerful return highlights Pham’s potential to invigorate the Cardinals’ offense as they aim to overcome their struggles against left-handers.

Cardinals vs. Left-Handed Pitching

Challenges This Season

The Cardinals have faced significant challenges against left-handed pitchers this season. Addressing this weakness was crucial, and Pham’s addition to the roster is a direct response to these struggles.

Pham’s Role

Tommy Pham is expected to be a key player against left-hander Andrew Heaney, who will be pitching for the Rangers. Pham’s right-handed batting is seen as a strategic advantage, potentially tipping the scales in the Cardinals’ favor.

Rangers’ Lineup Adjustments

New Batting Order

The Texas Rangers, aiming to improve their offensive consistency, are experimenting with their batting order. Manager Bruce Bochy has implemented changes, including moving Josh Smith to the leadoff spot and adjusting Marcus Semien and Josh Jung’s positions.

Key Players’ Positions

Bochy’s strategy includes these lineup tweaks to optimize the Rangers’ batting performance. These changes reflect the team’s effort to find a winning combination that can consistently produce runs.

Cardinals’ Pitching Strategy

Rotating Pitchers

With a demanding schedule of 16 straight games, Cardinals’ manager Oliver Marmol is spreading out the pitching starts. This rotation strategy includes using seven different pitchers over a seven-game span to manage player fatigue and performance.

Michael McGreevy’s Debut

A highlight of this strategy is the major league debut of prospect Michael McGreevy. As the 18th overall pick in 2021, McGreevy has shown promise in Triple-A Memphis, and his performance could be a crucial addition to the Cardinals’ pitching lineup.

Recent Performances

Andrew Heaney’s Struggles

Andrew Heaney, the Rangers’ left-handed pitcher, is coming off a challenging start, having allowed four runs on seven hits in five innings against the Toronto Blue Jays. His career stats against the Cardinals are also unfavorable, with an 11.05 ERA in two starts.

Career Stats Against Cardinals

Heaney’s historical struggles against the Cardinals could work in St. Louis’ favor, providing an opportunity for their hitters to exploit his weaknesses.

Future Prospects

Long-Term Implications

The acquisitions and lineup changes by both the Cardinals and Rangers are not just short-term fixes but have long-term implications. Strengthening their bullpens and adjusting their lineups are steps toward improving overall team performance and playoff prospects.

Potential Playoff Impact

These strategic moves could significantly impact both teams’ chances in the postseason. For the Cardinals, adding experienced players like Pham and promising talents like McGreevy could be pivotal in their quest for a strong finish.

Conclusion

The St. Louis Cardinals, reinforced by key acquisitions and strategic adjustments, are poised to secure a series win over the Texas Rangers. With Tommy Pham’s impactful return, Michael McGreevy’s anticipated debut, and critical trades, the Cardinals are addressing their weaknesses and aiming for a strong end to the season.

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