The Los Angeles Dodgers (71-51) and St. Louis Cardinals (60-61) meet in the first of a three-game series at Busch Stadium on Friday at 8:15 pm ET (MLB Network). We break down the Dodgers vs. Cardinals odds line from BetMGM Sportsbook and get the best betting picks and predictions from MLB experts.
Season series: Dodgers lead 3-1
The Dodgers came to The Lou after splitting a four-game series with the Milwaukee Brewers. They lost the final two games, ending a five-game winning streak. Their relief pitchers gave up three runs in the eighth inning on Thursday in a 6-4 loss. Designated hitter Shohei Ohtani was held to just one hit in nine at-bats in both games after homering in the first two games of the series.
The Cardinals are coming off a four-game losing streak, scoring just four runs in three games at Great American Ball Park. Their relief pitchers have been shaky, their starting pitchers even worse and their offense has been awful with runners in scoring position. They're now four games out of the Wild Card zone.
Dodgers vs Cardinals predicted starting lineup
LHP Justin Wroblewski vs. RHP Miles Mikolas
Wroblewski (0-1, 4.05 ERA) is making his fifth start of the season and has a 1.20 WHIP, 3.2 BB/9 and 6.8 K/9 in 20 innings.
Last start: July 27, 7-6 loss at Houston Astros, no decision, 5 2/3 innings, two runs allowed on four hits, one walk and two strikeouts. Never faced St. Louis. In 2024 with Double-A Tulsa and Triple-A Oklahoma City, he was 5-4 with a 3.57 ERA (88 1/3 innings, 35 runs allowed), a 1.18 WHIP and 89 strikeouts in 17 starts.
Mikolas (8-9, 5.30 ERA) is making his 25th start of the season and has a 1.29 WHIP, 1.5 BB/9 and 6.1 K/9 in 132 1/3 innings.
Last start: Aug. 9 vs. Kansas City Royals, 8-5 win, no decision, 4 innings, 5 runs allowed, 8 hits, 0 walks, 3 strikeouts Last five regular season starts against the Dodgers: 1-3, 5.34 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, 20 strikeouts in 28 2/3 innings
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Dodgers vs Cardinals odds
Courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook. For the complete list, visit the USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds Hub. Lines last updated at 12:07 PM ET.
Money Line (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 vs Cardinals predictions and forecasts
prediction
Dodgers 6, Cardinals 2
Money Line
The Dodgers postponed right-hander Tyler Glasnow's start until Saturday, with Worowlewski expected to be promoted to the starter on Friday. The Cardinals have trouble hitting lefty batters, and their slugging percentage against them this season is an eyesore at .355. The Dodgers will be looking to take aim at Mikolas, who became message board fodder in March when he called the Cardinals a “checkbook team.”
I bet on the Dodgers -135.
Against run line/spread
With the Cardinals bullpen resting, I’d give RL odds a little higher than +125. I’d be willing to bet on Miles Mikolas to allow 2.5+ earned runs (-155). As mentioned before, he’s provided material to put on the board, allowing 3+ earned runs in 4 of his 5 starts and 4 of his 5 starts against LA.
Over/Under
It's expected to be 89 degrees and humid with wind gusts of up to 5 mph in right-center field, but the way the Cardinals are swinging the bats, the Dodgers might have to give up seven runs to get the over here.
Lean under 9.5 (-110).
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