Los Angeles Dodgers at St. Louis Cardinals odds, picks and predictions

The Los Angeles Dodgers (71-51) and St. Louis Cardinals (60-61) play the opener of a 3-game set at Busch Stadium Friday at 8:15 p.m. ET (MLB Network). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Dodgers vs. Cardinals odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.

Season series: Dodgers lead 3-1

The Dodgers come to The Lou after splitting a 4-game series with the Milwaukee Brewers. They lost the last 2 games, which snapped a 5-game winning streak. Their bullpen imploded for 3 runs in the 8th inning Thursday to drop that one 6-4. DH Shohei Ohtani was kept in check during those 2 games, going 1-for-9, after homering in the first 2 of the series.

The Cardinals have gone in the tank, losers of 4 straight, and they scored just 4 runs in 3 games at Great American Ball Park. Their bullpen has been leaky, their starters have been even worse, and the offense has been horrible with runners in scoring position. They’re now 4 games out of a Wild Card berth.

Dodgers at Cardinals projected starters

LHP Justin Wrobleski vs. RHP Miles Mikolas

Wrobleski (0-1, 4.05 ERA) makes his 5th start of the season. He has a 1.20 WHIP, 3.2 BB/9 and 6.8 K/9 in 20 innings.

• Last start: No-decision, 5 2/3 IP, 2 ER, 4 H, 1 BB, 2 K in 7-6 setback July 27 at Houston Astros
• Has never faced St. Louis
• 2024 stats with Double-A Tulsa and Triple-A Oklahoma City: 5-4, 3.57 ERA (88 1/3 IP, 35 ER), 1.18 WHIP, 89 K in 17 starts

Mikolas (8-9, 5.30 ERA) makes his 25th start of the season. He has a 1.29 WHIP, 1.5 BB/9 and 6.1 K/9 in 132 1/3 innings.

• Last start: No-decision, 4 IP, 5 ER, 8 H, 0 BB, 3 K in 8-5 victory Aug. 9 at Kansas City Royals
• Last 5 regular-season starts vs. Dodgers: 1-3, 5.34 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, 20 K in 28 2/3 IP

Who’s going yard? Here’s a breakdown of today’s best home run props with our top picks. Include the BetMGM bonus code SBWIRE to score a $1,500 first-bet offer.

Dodgers at Cardinals odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:07 p.m. ET.

• Moneyline (ML): Dodgers -135 (bet $135 to win $100) | Cardinals +115 (bet $115 to win $100)
• Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Dodgers -1.5 (+125) | Cardinals +1.5 (-150)
• Over/Under (O/U): 9.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

Dodgers at Cardinals picks and predictions

Prediction

Dodgers 6, Cardinals 2

The Dodgers pushed back RHP Tyler Glasnow to Saturday, and Wrobleski is expected to receive the callup to start Friday. The Cardinals can’t hit lefties, and their .355 SLG% against them this season is an eyesore. The Dodgers are going to tee off on Mikolas, who gave them some bulletin board material in March when he called them a “checkbook team.”

Take the DODGERS -135.

I want a little more incentive than +125 to go on the RL here especially since the Cards’ bullpen is rested. You can go ahead and jump on MILES MIKOLAS OVER 2.5 EARNED RUNS (-155). As mentioned, he gave them some bulletin board material, and he has allowed 3+ ER in 4 of 5 starts and 4 of 5 starts against L.A.

It’s slated to be a humid, 89 degrees with a 5-mph gust blowing out to right-center. But with the way the Cards are swinging the bat, the Dodgers could have to put up 7 to cash an Over here.

LEAN UNDER 9.5 (-110).

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