Cardinals vs Rays Prediction - MLB Picks 8/10/23

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

Game Info: Thursday, August 10, 2023 at 6:40 pm (Tropicana Field)

Zack Littell (2-2) (4.04) vs Matthew Liberatore (1-4) (6.93)

Betting Odds: Tampa Bay Rays -170 / St. Louis Cardinals +156 --- 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. St. Louis struck back last night to take game two by two, 6-4.

Cardinals Preview & Projected Starter

St. Louis moved to 50-65 after defeating Tampa. The Cardinals used a strong two-way effort to get back into the win column, and they’ll attempt to steal the series finale Thursday. 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.

Matthew Liberatore (1-4, 6.93 ERA, 23 Ks) will start for St. Louis. The second-year lefty struggled in his return to action against Minnesota last week, allowing five runs in 5.2 innings, en route to his four loss of the season. Not much has gone right for Liberatore this season, as he’s allowed four runs or more in five of his last eight games, and he’ll face a stiff test here with an angry Tampa team.

Cardinals Player Trends & Props

• Nolan Arenado has produced runs in both matchups in Tampa, and he’s St. Louis’ leader in home runs (24) and RBI (81), while batting .281.

• Paul Goldschmidt plated a pair of runs in the game two win, and he leads the Cards in hits (119), with splits of .275/18/59.

• Wilson Contreras has recorded a hit in five of his last six games, and he’s posting a line of .252/12/43.

• Nolan Gorman brings a five-game hit streak into the series finale, and he’s tied with Arenado for the team-lead in homers with 24, while batting in 67 runs.

Rays Preview & Projected Starter

Tampa Bay comes in at 69-47 after losing to St. Louis. The Rays rally was cut short last night, and they’ll look to rebound and win their fourth straight series here in game three. 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.

Zach Littell (2-2, 4.04 ERA, 31 Ks) will open the game for Tampa. The journeyman pitcher delivered his finest outing of the season in Detroit last week, tossing six scoreless frames to earn his second straight victory. Littell’s contributions are a great sign with the injuries within the Rays’ pitching staff, and he’ll look to keep his strong going in game three.

Rays Player Trends & Props

• Yandy Diaz has recorded a hit in seven of the last nine games, and he leads Tampa in batting (.318), with 118 hits, 16 home runs and 56 RBI.

• Wander Franco has multiple hits in three of the last four games, and he now leads Tampa in hits (119), to go along with sixteen homers and 54 RBI.

• Isaac Paredes provided a solo shot in the game one victory to extend his team-leads in home runs (22) and RBI (67).

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

• Randy Arozarena has produced runs in two of the last three games, and he’s totaled eighteen homers and 66 runs batted in.

Corey’s Free Pick

Tampa folded up late with a chance to win yesterday, and I believe they make things right in game three. The Rays won’t have the task of dealing with a resurgent Dakota Hudson here, and instead they’ll receive a crack at Matt Liberatore, who’s pitched poorly this season. With revenge in mind, the Tampa lineup should have little trouble finding production, and I like them getting in the win column Thursday. Back Tampa Bay for this interleague matchup.