While the St. Louis Cardinals and San Francisco Giants likely won’t be playing October baseball, their last stretch of the season remains essential. Both teams expect to contend next year and will look to the offseason to improve their clubs. Many players in this game will be on the chopping block come winter. They’ll look to prove themselves tonight.
The Cardinals come in as -112 moneyline favorites on DraftKings Sportsbook. The total is set at 7.5 runs. Let’s dig into a preview, prediction and best bet for this Cardinals vs. Giants matchup.
Cardinals at Giants prediction, preview
JT Brubaker is one such player looking to make a good impression. The 31-year-old will make his first start since 2022 tonight as he takes the mound for San Francisco. It will likely be his last appearance before hitting free agency. How he performs tonight against the Cardinals will leave a lasting impression on whoever chooses to pick up the phone in the winter.
In 16 appearances out of the bullpen for the New York Yankees and Giants this season, Brubaker has a 3.65 ERA, mainly using his sinker-slider combo. He generates a fair amount of chases out of the zone while avoiding barrels. It’s unlikely he pitches more than 2-3 innings, but he’s capable of getting the Giants off on the right foot before handing things over to the bullpen.
Sonny Gray, the Cardinals starter, is another player looking to prove he belongs. St. Louis signed him to be an ace, and he’s been a merely average starter. Heading into his last year of guaranteed money, he’s looking to put a good last impression in the minds of the Cardinals’ brain trust.
It’s difficult to trust either pitcher, and their bullpens have been thoroughly gutted at the trade deadline. Even at the run-containing Oracle Park, count on another high-scoring game after Tuesday’s back-and-forth affair.
