Rays vs Cardinals Prediction 3/29/2026 Today’s MLB Picks

In this article we will formulate a Rays vs Cardinals prediction for this MLB game on Sunday, March 29th at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup. 

Tampa Bay Rays Betting Preview

The Tampa Bay Rays are 0-2 this season after they lost game two by a score of 6-5 in extra innings on Saturday afternoon. Tampa Bay trailed 4-0 in the ninth inning, but they rallied to force extra innings, before losing in the 10th. The Rays recorded seven hits and they committed one error, while they were led by Williams, who went 1-4 with two RBIs in the game. Boyle allowed three hits and two earned runs over 6.0 innings in the no decision, while Jax picked up the loss in the 10th. 

Last season, Tampa Bay had a 3.94 ERA with a 1.22 WHIP and a .237 opponent batting average, while they scored 714 runs with a .251 batting average and a .313 on base percentage. Junior Caminero led TB with 45 home runs and 110 RBIs, while Yandy Diaz added 25 home runs and 83 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Tampa Bay is Steven Matz, who went 5-2 with a 3.05 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP over 76.2 innings pitched for the Cardinals and Red Sox last season. 

St. Louis Cardinals Betting Preview

The St. Louis Cardinals are 2-0 this year after they won game one and two in this series by scores of 9-7 and 6-5. In game two, St. Louis blew a 4-0 lead in the ninth inning and they trailed 5-4 in the 10th, but they scored two runs in the bottom half of the inning for the win. The Cardinals recorded six hits and they committed two errors, while they were led by Burleson and Wetherholt, who both had two RBIs in the game. McGreevy allowed zero hits and zero earned runs over 6.0 innings in the brutal no decision, while Svanson allowed three earned runs in relief and Stanek got the win. 

Last season, St. Louis had a 4.29 ERA with a 1.32 WHIP and a .259 opponent batting average, while they scored 689 runs with a .245 batting average and a .314 on base percentage. Wilson Contreras (now with Boston) led the team with 20 home runs and 80 RBIs, while Alec Burleson added 18 home runs and 69 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for St. Louis is Dustin May, who went 7-11 with a 4.96 ERA and a 1.42 WHIP over 132.1 innings pitched for the Dodgers and Red Sox last year. 

Why the St. Louis Cardinals will win

• The Rays have lost eight of their last nine games as favorites.
• The home team has won each of the Cardinals’ last six games.
• The Rays have failed to cover the run line in each of their last 10 day games following a loss.
• The home team has covered the run line in each of the Cardinals’ last six games.
• The Cardinals have led after 3 innings in each of their last four home day games.
• The Cardinals have led after 5 innings in four of their last five games at Busch Stadium.

Why the Tampa Bay Rays will win

• The Cardinals have lost five of their last six games against AL East opponents following a home win.
• The Rays have won 12 of their last 16 day games against National League opponents following a loss.
• The Cardinals have failed to cover the run line in 10 of their last 11 games against American League opponents following an extra innings win.

Total Runs Facts

• Each of the Cardinals’ last four home games against AL East opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
• Each of the Rays’ last four day games as favorites have gone OVER the total runs line.
• The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in nine of the Cardinals’ last 11 home games against AL East opponents.
• The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in 15 of the Rays’ last 20 games as road favorites against NL Central opponents.

St. Louis Cardinals Player Prop Facts

• Nolan Gorman has hit at least one home run in seven of his last 20 home appearances against AL East opponents.
• Alec Burleson has recorded at least one hit in each of his last nine appearances in day games against AL teams that held a losing record.
• Masyn Winn has recorded a Double in four of the Cardinals’ last five games against the Rays at Busch Stadium.

Tampa Bay Rays Player Prop Facts

• Yandy Diaz has hit a home run in three of his last 12 appearances after playing the previous day.
• Gavin Lux has recorded at least one hit in each of his last six road appearances against NL opponents.
• Taylor Walls has recorded a Double in three of his last four road appearances against opponents that held a winning record.

Rays vs Cardinals Prediction 

St. Louis could have easily lost the first two games in this series, but they have rallied in both games to get dramatic wins. The Rays are starting Matz, who pitched well last year, but did have some injury issues. The Cardinals are going with May, who was pretty bad last season and had an ERA of 4.96. I don’t love the pitching matchup in this game, but I am not backing May until I see improvement. Take the Rays on the road here.

David Racey's Pick: Rays ML