Miami Marlins vs
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Marlins and Cardinals Battle for Playoff Spot: Miami Favored in Opening Game

In this article, we provide a prediction for the opening game of a three-game series between rivals, the Miami Marlins and the St. Louis Cardinals. The Marlins recently closed a series with a win against the Milwaukee Brewers, while the Cardinals are looking for a win after a recent loss to the Padres. Stay tuned to see which team comes out on top in this anticipated matchup. Please note that this prediction was made before the conclusion of both teams' games on Sunday.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Marlins +102 | Cardinals -122
• Spread: Marlins +1.5 (-200) | Cardinals -1.5 (+170)
• Total: Over/Under 8.5 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that St. Louis will win straight-up is 55%.

Miami Marlins

The Miami Marlins secured their fourth consecutive victory and eighth in their last 10 games by defeating the Milwaukee Brewers on the road. With a current record of 50-53 and standing third in the NL East, the Marlins are 10 games behind the Mets for the top spot and five games behind the Padres for the final wild card spot in the National League. In their recent win, the Marlins had 11 hits, with Xavier Edwards leading the way with three hits. Home runs from Dane Myers, Heriberto Hernandez, and Agustin Ramirez contributed to the victory. Janson Junk earned the win on the mound, with Tyler Phillips recording his first save. Edward Cabrera will start his 18th game of the season with a record of 4-4 and a 3.48 ERA. In his last start, Cabrera pitched 5.2 innings, allowing one run on five hits and six strikeouts. So far, he has no record at Busch Stadium, with a 1.80 ERA over five innings.

St. Louis Cardinals

The St. Louis Cardinals had their two-game win streak snapped as they were shut down in the third game of their four-game series with the Padres at home on Saturday night. The loss put them at a record of 54-52, standing fourth in the NL Central, eight games behind the Cubs and Brewers for the top spot. The team was also 2.5 games behind the Padres for the final wild card spot in the National League. Against San Diego on Saturday, the Cardinals only managed three hits in the game, with Jordan Walker driving in the lone run with an RBI double in the second inning. Matthew Liberatore took the loss, throwing 4.1 innings and allowing two runs on six hits. Andre Pallante is set to start the next game for the Cardinals, carrying a record of 5-7 with a 4.91 ERA in 21 starts this season. He took the loss in his last start against the Rockies, and in his last three starts, he has struggled with a 9.77 ERA. Pallante has faced the Marlins once before, with a 0-1 record and a 2.19 ERA in 12.1 innings of work against them. He has a career record of 13-11 with a 3.81 ERA in 79 appearances, 24 of which were starts, at Busch Stadium.

Marlins and Cardinals Battle for Playoff Spot: Miami Favored in Opening Game

Both the Miami Marlins and St. Louis Cardinals find themselves battling to secure a spot in the playoffs, with both teams striving to improve their standing. The Marlins have demonstrated consistent performance in recent weeks, particularly following the All-Star break. Cabrera has shown proficiency as a pitcher for the Marlins, who have also displayed enhanced offensive capabilities while playing away from home. On the other hand, Pallante has struggled in his recent starts, accumulating an ERA exceeding nine in his last three games. The Cardinals have faced fluctuations in their performance throughout the season, reflected in their current .500 win-loss ratio. Given Pallante's recent difficulties, the Marlins are positioned as favorites to win the opening game.

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