The Cardinals and Giants begin a critical three-game series Monday night at Oracle Park. First pitch is scheduled for 9:45 PM ET. Both teams are sitting below .500 but still have a chance at the final National League wild-card spot with just one week left in the regular season.
San Francisco holds a 77-79 record, while St. Louis is 76-80. Each club earned a win on Sunday to stay alive in the playoff race. The Reds and Mets are currently tied for the last wild-card position, and with both idle Monday, neither the Cardinals nor Giants can be eliminated yet. This series will likely determine who continues to fight into the final weekend.
Cardinals Preview – McGreevy Back on the Hill
St. Louis hands the ball to right-hander Michael McGreevy. The 24-year-old is 7-3 with a 4.08 ERA this season. He has been inconsistent in September, pitching seven scoreless innings against Cincinnati in his last outing but allowing six runs in four innings the time before, against these same Giants.
McGreevy has two career starts against San Francisco with mixed results, going 1-1 with a 5.25 ERA. His ability to limit damage early will be key for a Cardinals team that has lost eight of its last 12 games. St. Louis averages 4.28 runs per game, but the pitching staff allows 4.59, creating a narrow margin in most contests.
Offensively, St. Louis relies on Jordan Walker and Alec Burleson in the middle of the order with Nolan Arenado’s future still uncertain. Arenado received a standing ovation on Sunday, sparking speculation that his time with the Cardinals may be nearing its end. Injuries to Willson Contreras and Masyn Winn have tested the depth of the lineup, forcing younger players into expanded roles.
Giants Preview – Verlander Looks to Deliver
San Francisco counters with Justin Verlander. The veteran is 3-10 with a 3.75 ERA. Despite the losing record, he has been competitive and showed that earlier this month in St. Louis, where he tossed six shutout innings in a 3-2 Giants loss. For his career, Verlander has logged six starts against the Cardinals, posting a 3-1 record with a 4.00 ERA.
The Giants’ bullpen has been one of the strengths of the team this season, entering with a 3.64 ERA. However, it has shown cracks lately as the club has dropped seven of its last nine games. Still, San Francisco managed a much-needed 3-1 win over the Dodgers on Sunday, giving them a boost entering this series.
San Francisco averages 4.32 runs per game and has one of the best records to the Under in MLB, sitting at 73-76 O/U. Oracle Park has been a pitcher-friendly venue most of the season, but the Giants will need their bats to support Verlander after a rough stretch of inconsistent offense.
Head-to-Head and Betting Trends
These clubs met in early September, with St. Louis taking two of three at Busch Stadium. The Cardinals have won seven of the last 10 games against San Francisco. On the flip side, the Giants have been stronger at home with a 38-37 record, while St. Louis is just 32-43 on the road.
Totals lean Over when these teams meet, with seven of the last 10 games going above the posted line. Still, both the Cardinals and Giants have strong records hitting the First 5 Innings Team Total Under, showing a pattern of slow starts.
Betting Prediction
The Giants are listed as -155 favorites, with the Cardinals at +125. The total sits at 8 runs, slightly juiced to the Under. Covers projections suggest a close finish, with San Francisco forecasted to edge St. Louis 4.5 to 4.3. That puts the expected score just over the total.
Verlander’s recent success against the Cardinals and the Giants’ home-field edge give them the advantage. McGreevy has been up and down, and his struggles in his last outing against San Francisco are difficult to ignore. Final score call: Giants 5, Cardinals 4. That makes San Francisco the moneyline play with a lean to the Over.
Pick: Giants -155 (Moneyline), Over 8
