MLB Braves vs. Cardinals Picks & Predictions for August 22, 2013
By ATSSportsline.com
ST. LOUIS, MO (ATS Consultants) – The Cardinals and Braves will open a new series tonight at Busch Stadium in a matchup of two postseason-bound teams.
ODDS: According to oddsmakers from online sports book Bovada.lv, the Cardinals are -135 money line favorites over the Braves, who are +125 on the ML. With Joe Kelly set to face Paul Maholm in the pitching matchup, the over/under total is currently sitting at 8.5 runs.
LINE MOVEMENT: The Cardinals opened as -135 money line favorites and that’s where their odds currently sit. The Braves’ odds haven’t budged either after they opened as +125 money line underdogs.
PUBLIC BETTING: Of the current wagers placed on tonight’s game, 62% of the betting public currently favors St. Louis. This information is subject to change, however, so make sure you click on the link provided for the most updated numbers.
MLB FREE PICK: Take St. Louis. According to latest MLB trends, Atlanta is 2-6 last 8 in Maholm's starts and 1-5 last 6 road games vs. a team with a winning record. St. Louis is 4-1 last 5 on grass, 4-0 in Kelly's last four starts as a favorite and 15-7 last 22 vs. National League East.
The Cardinals take on the Braves in a four-game set but Atlanta is bringing a depleted lineup. They'll be without Jason Heyward, who is out 4-6 weeks with a broken jaw after being hit by a pitch on Wednesday. He had 15 RBIs in 23 games sine being moved to the leadoff spot on July 27 (Atlanta is 19-4 in that stretch). Justin Upton missed his second straight game after straining his back while taking swings on Tuesday. He is batting .377 with seven home runs and 15 RBIs in his last 17 games. The Cards send Joe Kelly (4-3, 3.01) to the mound against Paul Maholm (9-9, 4.41 ERA), who will be activated from the disabled list after missing time with a bruised wrist. He is 4-7 with a 6.03 ERA on the road compared to a 1.93 ERA at home at Turner Field. Kelly has a 4-0 record with a 2.23 ERA in seven starts since July 6. He tossed 6 1/3 scoreless innings in his last outing though he didn't get the decision.
2013 MLB FREE PICK: ST. LOUIS CARDINALS -135
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