Guardians vs. Cardinals Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Friday, May 26, 2023

May 26, 2023, by Matt Rooney MLB Predictions

The St. Louis Cardinals (23-29) serve as underdogs on the moneyline (-107) in Friday’s contest with the Cleveland Guardians (21-28). First pitch is at 7:10 PM ET on BSGL. The Cardinals are favored against the spread in this one (1.5) with +158 odds.

Cleveland’s Shane Bieber and St. Louis’ Matthew Liberatore have been named the starters for this contest.

Guardians vs. Cardinals Odds

Guardians odds to win: -112
Cardinals odds to win: -107
Spread: Cardinals -1.5
Total: 8 runs

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Game Time and Information

Date: Friday, May 26, 2023
Time: 7:10 PM ET
TV: BSGL

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Who Will Win Guardians vs. Cardinals?

Guardians and Cardinals Betting Trends

The Guardians have gone 13-16 in games they were favored on the moneyline (winning 44.8% of those games).

When playing as moneyline favorites with odds of -112 or shorter, Cleveland has a 12-15 record (winning 44.4% of its games).

This season, the Cardinals have been the underdog 23 times and won nine, or 39.1%, of those games.

St. Louis has a record of 9-11 in games where sportsbooks have it as underdogs of at least -107 on the moneyline.

The Guardians have played in 48 games with set over/under, and have combined with opponents to go over the total 18 times (18-29-1).

Games involving the Cardinals have gone over the total set by bookmakers in 28 of 52 chances this season.

Guardians Stats & Insights

The Guardians are the lowest scoring team in MLB action averaging 3.4 runs per game (169 total).

Cleveland has hit the fewest home runs in MLB play this season (30).

The Guardians have the third-worst batting average in the league (.223).

Cleveland strikes out the least in baseball, averaging 7.2 per game.

The pitching staff for the Guardians has a collective 7.6 K/9, the second-worst in MLB.

Cleveland has the ninth-ranked team ERA across all MLB pitching staffs (3.87).

Cardinals Stats & Insights

The Cardinals have scored 263 runs this season, which ranks fourth in MLB.

St. Louis’ 72 home runs rank fifth in Major League Baseball.

The Cardinals rank seventh in MLB with a .260 team batting average.

St. Louis ranks 11th in MLB in strikeouts per game with an average of 8.3 Ks per contest.

The Cardinals have an 8.8 K/9 this season as a pitching staff, which ranks 14th in the majors.

St. Louis has pitched to a 4.34 ERA this season, which ranks 18th in baseball.

Guardians Key Players to Watch

The Guardians are sending Bieber (3-3) to the mound to make his 11th start of the season. He is 3-3 with a 3.08 ERA and 47 strikeouts through 64 1/3 innings pitched.

Jose Ramirez leads Cleveland with a batting average of .266. He’s also hit six home runs with 25 RBI.

Steven Kwan has collected 48 hits this season and has an OBP of .342. He’s slugging .339 on the year.

Josh Naylor leads Cleveland in home runs with seven and runs batted in with 32.

Josh Bell has 37 hits and an OBP of .340 to go with a slugging percentage of .341 this season.

Cardinals Key Players to Watch

The Cardinals will send Liberatore to the mound for his second start of the season.

Paul Goldschmidt is hitting .292 with 16 doubles, nine home runs and 33 walks.

Nolan Gorman’s 13 home runs, 40 runs batted in and .297 batting average all lead his team.

Nolan Arenado is batting .264 with five doubles, a triple, nine home runs and 14 walks.

Tommy Edman has nine doubles, two triples, six home runs and 12 walks while hitting .277.

Guardians and Cardinals Injuries

Guardians: Aaron Civale: 15 Day IL (Oblique), Peyton Battenfield: 15 Day IL (Shoulder), Triston McKenzie: 60 Day IL (Shoulder), Cody Morris: 60 Day IL (Shoulder)

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