Cardinals vs Rays Prediction - MLB Picks 8/9/23

Tampa Bay Rays (69-46) vs St. Louis Cardinals (49-65)

Game Info: Wednesday, August 9, 2023 at 6:40 pm (Tropicana Field)

Jalen Beeks (2-2) (6.27) vs Dakota Hudson (2-0) (4.10)

Betting Odds: Tampa Bay Rays -137 / St. Louis Cardinals +116 --- Over/Under: 9 Click Here for the Latest Odds

The Tampa Bay Rays will host the St. Louis Cardinals for game two of their interleague series this Wednesday from Tropicana Field. Tampa pulled with the victory late to win by two, 4-2.

Cardinals Preview & Projected Starter

St. Louis moved to 49-65 after falling to Tampa. The Cardinals have now dropped four of their last five games, and their season has been completely submerged by underwhelming play. The St. Louis' offense is scoring 3.97 runs per game, while batting .258, with a .328 on-base percentage. The pitching staff carries a 4.64 ERA, with a 1.49 WHIP.

Dakota Hudson (2-0, 4.10 ERA, 20 Ks) will get the start for St. Louis. The sixth-year pitcher opened August with his best outing of the season, tossing seven strikeouts through seven innings to earn the victory over Minnesota. Hudson’s start last week provides some optimism, as he’s set to finish the year out in the rotation, but he will face a stiff test here in Tampa.

Cardinals Player Trends & Props

• Nolan Arenado homered in last night’s contest to extend his hitting streak to six games, and he’s St. Louis’ leader in home runs (24) abdvRBI (80), while batting .282.

• Paul Goldschmidt was hitless in the game one defeat, but he leads the Cards in hits (119), with splits of .275/18/57.

• Wilson Contreras also went yard in Tuesday’s loss, and he’s postung a line of .252/12/43.

• Nolan Gorman has recorded a hit in four straight games, and he’s tied with Arenado for the team-lead in homers with 24, t-upped his fellow Norman last night with a pair of homers to take the team-lead with 24, and he’s batted in 67 runs.

Rays Preview & Projected Starter

Tampa Bay comes in at 69-46 after defeating St. Louis. The Rays came through with a big eighth inning to steal game one, and look to take a third straight game here. The Tampa offense is scoring 5.13 runs per game, while batting .255, with a .327 on-base percentage. The pitching staff carries a 3.70 ERA, with a 1.18 WHIP.

Jalen Beeks (2-3, 6.27 ERA, 40 Ks) will take the mound for Tampa Bay. The fifth-year pitcher will get the bullpen start after the Ray’s took a big blow losing Shane McClanahan for the season. Beeks has experienced ups and downs this season, and he’s allowed runs in four of his last six appearances.

Rays Player Trends & Props

• Yandy Diaz tied a season-high with four hits in the game one win, and he leads Tampa in batting (.322) and hits (118), with 16 home runs and 56 RBI.

• Wander Franco has collected a hit in nine of the last twelve games, and he’s right behind Diaz with 116 hits for the season, to go along with fifteen homers and 53 RBI.

• Brandon Lowe has produced a run in five of the last seven games, and he’s up to fifteen home runs and 45 RBI for the season.

• Randy Arozarena has plated runs in consecutive games, and he’s totaled eighteen homers and 66 runs batted in.

• Isaac Paredes provided a solo shot in Tuesday’s win to extend his team-leads in home runs (22) and RBI (67).

Corey’s Free Pick

This spot should come down to a matter of execution for Tampa. They’ve got a manageable spot here against a reeling St. Louis team, and with Baltimore right on their hip in the division race, they’ll have a sense of urgency at home. The loss of McClanahan will hurt, but if the Rays’ avoid falling apart, they will still find their way into the postseason. Let’s back Tampa at home here, and back the Over for insurance.