MLB Betting Odds and Predictions: St. Louis Cardinals vs. Cincinnati Reds

The St. Louis Cardinals (64-44) and Cincinnati Reds (60-50) will continue a three-game National League Central series Saturday at the Great American Ball Park, with the first pitch scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET

St. Louis Cardinals vs. Cincinnati Reds

St. Louis has won its last two games due to an offense that has scored 26 runs over that span, including a 13-3 victory over Cincinnati as +102 road underdogs Friday, while going OVER the total in three consecutive contests. The Cardinals continue to get amazing production out of first baseman Allen Craig, who leads MLB with a .476 average with runners in scoring position. The club is 6-3 in this series this season, which can’t be ignored when making your pro baseball picks Saturday. St. Louis is 3-3 as road underdogs of +125 to +150 this season, with the UNDER going 4-2 in that situation.

Cardinals starting pitcher Jake Westbrook (7-5, 3.18 ERA) will look to bounce back from a 9-2 road loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates last time out, as he allowed four runs and four hits over five frames. The right-hander is 2-5 with a 4.76 ERA in nine road appearances, with opposing hitters batting .308 against him. In 11 career games (10 starts) versus the Reds, Westbrook has compiled a 4-2 record and 3.36 ERA, including a 10-0 home victory on April 10.

Cincinnati has lost six of its last seven games, while the UNDER is 6-1 over that span. The Reds accounted for six hits and 11 strikeouts and only four runners reached scoring position last night. “Tonight’s not fun,” commented Reds outfielder Jay Bruce. Reds first baseman Joey Votto will need to lead the charge offensively, as he’s 5 for 15 with two doubles in his career against Westbrook. Cincinnati is 10-4 as home favorites of -125 to -150 this season, with the OVER going 8-6 in those 14 opportunities.

Reds starting pitcher Tony Cingrani (4-1, 2.90 ERA) didn’t earn a decision in a 1-0 road defeat to the Los Angeles Dodgers last time out, as he allowed just a single hit over seven scoreless innings. The left-hander is 1-0 with a 2.63 ERA in seven home appearances (four starts), issuing 10 walks and striking out 32 batters in 24 combined frames. Cingrani allowed two hits over two-thirds of an inning in his only career appearance. in this series.