St Louis Cardinals vs. Philadelphia Phillies 8/26/23 – As we progress into MLB season 2023, we can anticipate an intense battle between the St. Louis Cardinals and Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on August 26, 2023. All eyes will be on starting pitchers Dakota Hudson for St. Louis and Zack Wheeler for Philadelphia; our comprehensive analysis will include both teams’ offenses and starting pitchers to give our top MLB picks for this matchup.
St. Louis Cardinals vs. Philadelphia Phillies
Date & Time: Saturday, August 26, 2023 at 7:15 PM ET
Location: Citizens Bank Park
TV: FOX
St Louis Cardinals vs. Philadelphia Phillies 8/26/23 Betting Odds
| Moneyline | Spread | Total | |
| Cardinals | +160 | +1.5 (-125) | 9 over (-102) |
| Phillies | -192 | -1.5 (+105) | 9 under (-118) |
St. Louis Cardinals Analysis
The Cardinals have made an impactful offensive statement this season with a batting average of 0.257, putting them in competitive ranks. Their ability to consistently put runners on base is evidenced in an on-base percentage of 0.332, evidence of their disciplined approach at the plate. Furthermore, they have proven their mettle with extra-base hits by posting an impressive slugging percentage of 0.431, demonstrating their power at driving runs home through extra-base hits.
Dakota Hudson has quickly emerged as an integral member of their rotation for the Cardinals, boasting an unblemished record at 5-0 with no losses to show for his efforts. His earned run average is 3.95, and while he may give up runs occasionally, he possesses the composure necessary to navigate difficult situations while keeping baserunners down with an impressive strikeout count of 1.32, further demonstrating his effectiveness on the mound.
Philadelphia Phillies Analysis
Conversely, the Philadelphia Phillies have proven equally formidable at bat. Achieve a similar batting average of 0.258 has demonstrated their proficiency at making contact and finding gaps in defense. Furthermore, their on-base percentage of 0.326 indicates their ability to capitalize on scoring opportunities, while their slugging percentage of 0.429 confirms they can drive balls deep into outfield fields.
Zack Wheeler of the Phillies’ starting pitching staff is responsible for restricting the Cardinals’ offense. Boasting an impressive 9-6 win-loss record and an ERA of 3.70, Wheeler brings experience to the mound while keeping his team competitive. An impressive WHIP score of 1.11 illustrates his ability to regulate game tempo through limited walks and hits, while his impressive strikeout count (165 Ks) attests to this ability.
St. Louis Cardinals vs. Philadelphia Phillies Against the Spread
St. Louis has seen their total score go UNDER in six of their last nine games, which suggests an inclination towards lower-scoring contests. St. Louis has struggled in recent games against Philadelphia, going 2-6 straight up over 8 outings against them 2-5 against Philadelphia on the road (3-7 total SU record).
Philadelphia has seen the total reach the “over” mark in five of their last seven games, indicating potentially high-scoring affairs. They’ve had the edge against St. Louis lately, going 7-3 SU when playing home against them.
St. Louis Cardinals vs. Philadelphia Phillies Free Pick
Considering the analysis, betting trends, team stats, and starting pitchers, here are the picks for the upcoming game:
Moneyline: Cardinals +160
While the Phillies have the edge in recent matchups and boast a more robust record, the Cardinals have shown resilience. With a tempting +160 moneyline for the Cardinals, there’s potential value in considering them for an upset victory.
Spread: Cardinals +1.5 (-125)
Given the close matchup, taking the Cardinals on the spread might be a strategic choice. St. Louis tends to keep games tight, which could work in their favor even if they don’t win outright.
Total: 9 under (-118)
With the Cardinals’ recent trend of games going UNDER and the Phillies’ propensity for higher-scoring games, taking the UNDER 9 (-118) on the total might be prudent. The matchup of these two strong starting pitchers could lead to a relatively lower-scoring affair.
Prediction: 3-4 St. Louis Cardinals win
As the St. Louis Cardinals and Philadelphia Phillies prepare to engage in their highly-anticipated clash, betting opportunities abound. After carefully considering each team’s performance, betting trends, and starting pitcher’s ability, bettors may find value in backing Cardinals as underdogs in an exceptionally closely contested matchup where runs may come at a premium – something a well-calculated strategy could achieve at Sportsbooks Canada.
