St. Louis Cardinals vs
Tampa Bay RaysPredictions & Preview

Rays Favored to Secure Victory in Series Finale Against Cardinals with Strong Pitching Matchup

In this prediction for the Cardinals at Rays series finale, both teams are no longer in contention for a playoff spot. The Cardinals have struggled since the All-Star Break, dropping to fourth place in the NL Central, while the Rays are fighting for a spot in the AL East. The pitching matchup will feature Matthew Liberatore for the Cardinals and Ryan Pepiot for the Rays. The game is set to start at 12:10 PM EST. For more insights and betting tips, continue reading.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Cardinals +111 | Rays -122
• Spread: Cardinals -1.5 (+163) | Rays +1.5 (-197)
• Total: Over/Under 9 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Tampa Bay will win straight-up is 55%.

St. Louis Cardinals

The St. Louis Cardinals have faced challenges throughout the season due to a bloated payroll, leading to a fade in performance. In Friday night's game against the Tampa Bay Rays, the Cardinals fell 10-6, resulting in an even series heading into Sunday's finale. Despite a rally that closed the gap, the Cardinals ultimately fell short. With a record of 64-66, they will rely on lefty Matthew Liberatore for Sunday's game. Liberatore has a 6-10 season record with 23 starts and will look to improve upon recent losses. The team will be without key players Brendan Donovan, Drew Rom, and Victor Scott II due to injuries.

Tampa Bay Rays

The Tampa Bay Rays have faced challenges this season, including having to relocate to George Steinbrenner Field due to damage to Tropicana Field from a hurricane. Despite their resilience and a strong start in the AL East, the Rays have struggled after the All-Star Break and are unlikely to make it to the playoffs. In a recent game against the Cardinals, the Rays bounced back with a 10-6 win, highlighted by rookie SS Carson Williams' homer in his MLB debut. With a record of 62-67 and sitting in fourth place in the AL East, the Rays will rely on right-hander Ryan Pepiot in the upcoming series finale. Pepiot has a record of 8-10 with an ERA of 3.95 and will look to improve on recent performances. Key players like LF Richie Palacios, CF Jonny DeLuca, and RP Jonathan Hernandez remain out due to injuries.

Rays Favored to Secure Victory in Series Finale Against Cardinals with Strong Pitching Matchup

In an evenly matched pitching contest, the Rays are the favored team to secure a victory in this series finale. Pepiot boasts a respectable 5-4 record with a solid 3.46 ERA in home games, demonstrating his ability to perform well in his home ballpark. On the other hand, Libertore has a better road ERA but has struggled on the road with a 2-5 record in 12 road starts. Pepiot has shown greater proficiency in striking out hitters, with 146 strikeouts in 145 innings, compared to Libertore's 93 strikeouts in 122 innings. The warm weather forecast for Sunday suggests that the ball will carry well off the bat, giving the Rays an advantage to capitalize on offensive opportunities. Additionally, Tampa has a .500 record at home this season, while the Cardinals have a losing record on the road. Therefore, it is recommended to place a bet on the Rays to win the game.

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