The St. Louis Cardinals were 93-0 when leading after eight innings in the MLB Playoffs entering Game 1. After giving up six runs in a cataclysmic ninth inning, their record in such games is 93-1. After not being able to generate any offense for the first eight innings, the Philadelphia Phillies came alive when it mattered. Now with Phillies vs Cardinals Game 2 looming, the NL Central division-winning St. Louis Cardinals already find their backs against the wall.
This MLB betting preview for the NL Wild Card MLB Playoffs Phillies vs Cardinals Game 2 includes game info, starting pitchers, betting odds, trends and a prediction for today’s postseason matchup.
Philadelphia Phillies vs St. Louis Cardinals Prediction | NL Wild Card MLB Playoffs Game 2
NL Wild Card MLB Playoffs Game 2 (PHI leads 1-0)
Philadelphia Phillies (87-75, 40-41 Away) vs. St. Louis Cardinals (93-69, 53-28 Home)
Date: Saturday, Oct. 8, 2021
Time: 8:37 p.m. EST
Venue: Busch Stadium — St. Louis, MO
Coverage: ESPN2
Phillies vs Cardinals Starting Pitchers
Rays: Aaron Nola (11-13, 3.25 ERA)
Guardians: Miles Mikolas (12-13, 3.29 ERA)
Philadelphia Phillies Preview
If you would’ve told any Phillies fan that their bullpen would be the one that held up, they may cry tears of joy. After having multiple years of terrible relief pitching, they received the benefit in Game 1. Although Ryan Helsley’s stuff was off, give credit to Philadelphia for making the most of his mistakes. The biggest positive from this game may be that Helsley also threw 33 pitches. The Cardinals’ bullpen has struggled and with him all but out of commission for Game 2, and the Phillies bats have to be thrilled.
Although the Phillies bullpen was enough and didn’t implode as much as that of the Cardinals, they still weren’t very good. Zach Wheeler pitched a fantastic 6 1/3 innings while only giving up two hits and the Phillies immediately surrendered the lead when he was pulled. Just needing one win over the next two games, it’ll be crucial that the Phillies end this quickly so as not to tire an already questionable bullpen.
St. Louis Cardinals Preview
Although their season is not over as it would be in the traditional Wild Card format, the feeling in St. Louis went from joy to crippling anxiety over the course of about 30 minutes. The two problems with the Cardinals coming into the playoffs was their bullpen and hitting outside of Nolan Arenado and Paul Goldschmidt. The pair combined to hit just 1-7 (.142) and it was no surprise the Cardinals struggled offensively without them. If the Cardinals want to force a Game 3, Arenado and Goldschmidt will have to be much better.
The Cardinals didn’t have the best bullpen coming into the postseason and now with Helsley throwing 33 pitches in Game 1, they’ll have to either get creative or hope starter Miles Mikolas can go deep into the game. Mikolas did post a 6-3 home record this year with a 2.38 ERA and was solid in two starts in his only other postseason trip in 2019. Mikolas needs to be at the top of his game if St. Louis has any hope at keeping up with Philadelphia’s offensive firepower.
Phillies vs Cardinals Odds | MLB Playoffs Predictions
MLB betting odds for Phillies vs Cardinals are taken from BetOnline Sportsbook.
Moneyline: PHI: (-115) | STL: (+105)
Run Line: PHI: +1.5 (+150) | STL: -1.5 (-170)
Total: 6.5 — Over: (-115) | Under: (-105)
Public (Spread) Betting via Action Network: PHI: (45%) | STL: (55%)
Phillies vs Cardinals MLB Betting Trends
- Five of the Phillies’ last seven games have gone over the total.
- Philadelphia is 4-2 straight up in their last six games against St. Louis
- Philadelphia is 4-2 straight up in their last six games.
- St. Louis is 1-4 straight up in their last five games.
- The total has gone over in five of the Cardinals’ last six games.
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Phillies vs Cardinals Stats
- Philadelphia is averaging 4.61 runs per game (RPG) this season (No. 7 in the MLB).
- Philadelphia is surrendering 4.23 RPG this season (No. 15 in the MLB).
- St. Louis is averaging 4.77 RPG this season (No. 6 in the MLB).
- St. Louis is surrendering 3.93 RPG this season (No. 9 in the MLB).
Phillies vs Cardinals MLB Weather Report
Status: Clear
Temperature: 54℉
Humidity: 46%
Precipitation: 0%
Wind: 3 MPH (blowing out to right)
Phillies vs Cardinals Prediction | NL Wild Card MLB Playoffs Game 2
The Phillies vs Cardinals MLB betting prediction uses NumberFire’s probability model. They give Philadelphia a 52.2% chance to win Game 2 of this NL Wild Card MLB Playoffs matchup.
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