Dodgers vs. Cardinals Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Sunday, May 21, 2023

May 21, 2023, by Matt Rooney MLB Predictions

Expect the long ball when Max Muncy (15 HR) and the Los Angeles Dodgers (29-18) take on Nolan Gorman (13 HR) and the St. Louis Cardinals (20-27) at Busch Stadium, beginning at 2:15 PM ET live on BSMW. The Dodgers are -136 favorites on the moneyline for the matchup.

Clayton Kershaw takes the mound for Los Angeles while Jack Flaherty is St. Louis’ starter for the contest.

Dodgers vs. Cardinals Odds

Dodgers odds to win: -136
Cardinals odds to win: +116
Spread: Dodgers -1.5
Total: 8 runs

Dodgers vs. Cardinals Promo Codes

DRAFTKINGS MLB Promo
Bet $5, Win $150 BONUS BETS
BET NOW!
CAESARS MLB Promo
Get Up To $1,500 in Bet Credits
BET NOW!
FANDUEL MLB Promo
Bet $5 Get $200
BET NOW!
BETMGM MLB Promo
$1K First Bet Offer
BET NOW!

Game Time and Information

Date: Sunday, May 21, 2023
Time: 2:15 PM ET
TV: BSMW

Exclusive Apple TV Friday Night Baseball Pass
Sign Up to Watch Friday Night Baseball Exclusive on Apple TV+
Watch 7 Days For Free

Who Will Win Dodgers vs. Cardinals?

Dodgers and Cardinals Betting Trends

The Dodgers have won 64.3% of the games this season when they were the moneyline favorite (27-15).

Los Angeles has gone 19-13 (winning 59.4% of its games) when playing as moneyline favorites of -136 or shorter.

This season, the Cardinals have won eight out of the 22 games, or 36.4%, in which they’ve been the underdog.

St. Louis has a record of 2-6 in games where sportsbooks have it as underdogs of at least +116 on the moneyline.

In the 47 games in which bookmakers have set an over/under for the Dodgers, they have combined with opponents to go over the total 25 times (25-21-1).

The Cardinals’ games have gone over the total in 24 of their 47 chances.

Dodgers Stats & Insights

The Dodgers score the fourth-most runs in baseball (255 total, 5.4 per game).

Los Angeles is second-best in baseball with 76 total home runs.

The Dodgers’ .234 batting average ranks 23rd in MLB.

Los Angeles strikes out 8.9 times per game, the No. 25 average in baseball.

The pitching staff for the Dodgers has a collective 8.5 K/9, which ranks 21st in the majors.

Los Angeles has the 15th-ranked team ERA across all MLB pitching staffs (4.15).

Cardinals Stats & Insights

The Cardinals have scored the sixth-most runs in the league this season with 235.

St. Louis ranks fifth in Major League Baseball with 66 home runs.

The Cardinals’ .260 batting average is among the best in baseball, ranking eighth in MLB.

St. Louis has shown good bat-to-ball skills at the plate this season with the ninth-best strikeout rate (8.1 per game) among MLB offenses.

The Cardinals strike out 8.8 batters per nine innings as a pitching staff, 13th in MLB.

St. Louis has pitched to a 4.24 ERA this season, which ranks 16th in baseball.

Dodgers Key Players to Watch

The Dodgers will send Kershaw (6-3) out for his 10th start of the season. He is 6-3 with a 2.52 ERA and 63 strikeouts in 53 2/3 innings pitched.

Freddie Freeman leads Los Angeles with a .328 batting average. He’s also hit eight homers and has 27 RBI.

Mookie Betts has 43 hits and an OBP of .356 to go with a slugging percentage of .512 this season.

Muncy leads Los Angeles in home runs (15) and runs batted in (33) this season while batting .213.

Will Smith is batting .314 with an OBP of .403 and a slugging percentage of .571 this season.

Cardinals Key Players to Watch

Flaherty (3-4) will take to the mound for the Cardinals and make his 10th start of the season.

Paul Goldschmidt is hitting .301 with 16 doubles, seven home runs and 30 walks.

Gorman has hit 13 home runs with 39 RBI while batting .302. Those stats all pace his team.

Nolan Arenado is batting .268 with four doubles, a triple, nine home runs and 13 walks.

Tommy Edman has seven doubles, a triple, six home runs and 11 walks while hitting .273.

Dodgers and Cardinals Injuries

Dodgers: Julio Urías: 15 Day IL (Hamstring), Dustin May: 15 Day IL (Forearm), Michael Grove: 15 Day IL (Groin), Jimmy Nelson: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Daniel Hudson: 60 Day IL (Knee), Walker Buehler: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Álex Reyes: 60 Day IL (Shoulder), J.P. Feyereisen: 60 Day IL (Shoulder), Blake Treinen: 60 Day IL (Shoulder), Ryan Pepiot: 60 Day IL (Oblique), Gavin Lux: 60 Day IL (Knee)

Cardinals: Tyler O’Neill: 10 Day IL (Back), Dylan Carlson: 10 Day IL (Ankle), Jake Woodford: 15 Day IL (Shoulder), Packy Naughton: 60 Day IL (Forearm), Wilking Rodriguez: 60 Day IL (Shoulder)