by Chuck Sommers
Saturday, May 28, 2022
Time: 2:15 p.m. ET
Venue: Busch Stadium, St. Louis, MO
Where to watch: Bally Sports Wisconsin, Bally Sports Midwest
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Even
BetMGM: Cardinals -115, Brewers -105
Caesars: Cardinals -115, Brewers -105
Season record
Brewers: 29-17
Cardinals: 25-20
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Brewers - Cardinals preview and analysis
As expected, it's been a hard-fought split through two games between the top two teams in the National League Central and this third game, via pitching matchup, I'd suggest would favor the Milwaukee Brewers over the St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday in Busch Stadium.
The Brewers took the first game of the series 4-3 on Thursday, but the Cardinals responded with a 4-2 win on Friday that was highlighted by another big day from Paul Goldschmidt with his third home run in four games.
"It's impressive," Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said. "He's hyper-focused on just executing his plan. That's been the fun part to watch."
Someone else who has seemingly entered the MVP conversation as May draws to a close, Goldschmidt extended his hitting streak to 18 games and continue to remind folks why he's one of the best hitters of this generation.
Dakota Hudson lasted only 4.2 innings before being pulled after a bases-loaded jam in the fifth. Drew VerHagen came in relief and got the last two outs to preserve the St. Louis victory.
"I'm never happy when I leave the game," Hudson said. "I looked up and I had no idea I was near 97 pitches. VerHagen came in and made some great pitches and got out of it. We won the game. That's what we need."
The Brewers took the first game of the series 4-3 on Thursday, but the Cardinals responded with a 4-2 win on Friday that was highlighted by another big day from Paul Goldschmidt with his third home run in four games.
"It's impressive," Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said. "He's hyper-focused on just executing his plan. That's been the fun part to watch."
Someone else who has seemingly entered the MVP conversation as May draws to a close, Goldschmidt extended his hitting streak to 18 games and continue to remind folks why he's one of the best hitters of this generation.
Dakota Hudson lasted only 4.2 innings before being pulled after a bases-loaded jam in the fifth. Drew VerHagen came in relief and got the last two outs to preserve the St. Louis victory.
"I'm never happy when I leave the game," Hudson said. "I looked up and I had no idea I was near 97 pitches. VerHagen came in and made some great pitches and got out of it. We won the game. That's what we need."
The Cardinals had only five hits compared to the Brewers' eight, but Goldschmidt's homer was a huge difference maker increasing his average to a staggering .345 this season. Harrison Bader had two hits from the nine spot.
Three players had at least two hits for the Brewers, including two from Kolten Wong, but the offense dried up until the ninth inning when the Brewers scored two to cut into the lead. Unfortunately for them, that was all that could be done.
The bigger story for the Brewers was starting pitcher Brandon Woodruff leaving while warming up in the fifth inning.
"He had some pain in his ankle on each pitch," Brewers manager Craig Counsell said. "I'm not ruling him out for his next start. He obviously was throwing the ball really well, but there was significant pain in each pitch."
Three players had at least two hits for the Brewers, including two from Kolten Wong, but the offense dried up until the ninth inning when the Brewers scored two to cut into the lead. Unfortunately for them, that was all that could be done.
The bigger story for the Brewers was starting pitcher Brandon Woodruff leaving while warming up in the fifth inning.
"He had some pain in his ankle on each pitch," Brewers manager Craig Counsell said. "I'm not ruling him out for his next start. He obviously was throwing the ball really well, but there was significant pain in each pitch."
Prediction
Adrian Houser will take the mound for the Brewers in which I think that is the difference maker over facing Matthew Liberatore. If the Brewers are going to win big games on the road, it'll have to be due to pitching. This is one way to capitalize on those matchups. Brewers win 4-3
Betting trends
Brewers are 47-31 the past three seasons as a road favorite.
Brewers are 7-8 against left-handed starters this season.
Cardinals are 21-22 the past three seasons as a home underdog.
Cardinals are 72-56 the past three seasons when the line is between +125 and -125.
Projected lineup
Brewers:
Kolten Wong (L) 2B
Luis Urias (R) SS
Christian Yelich (L) LF
Andrew McCutchen (R) DH
Rowdy Tellez (L) 1B
Tyrone Taylor (R) RF
Omar Narvaez (L) C
Lorenzo Cain (R) CF
Jace Peterson (L) 3B
SP - Adrian Houser
Kolten Wong (L) 2B
Luis Urias (R) SS
Christian Yelich (L) LF
Andrew McCutchen (R) DH
Rowdy Tellez (L) 1B
Tyrone Taylor (R) RF
Omar Narvaez (L) C
Lorenzo Cain (R) CF
Jace Peterson (L) 3B
SP - Adrian Houser
Cardinals:
Tommy Edman (S) SS
Brendan Donovan (L) RF
Paul Goldschmidt (R) 1B
Nolan Arenado (R) 3B
Juan Yepez (R) DH
Nolan Gorman (L) 2B
Corey Dickerson (L) LF
Harrison Bader (R) CF
Andrew Knizner (R) C
SP - Matthew Liberatore
Tommy Edman (S) SS
Brendan Donovan (L) RF
Paul Goldschmidt (R) 1B
Nolan Arenado (R) 3B
Juan Yepez (R) DH
Nolan Gorman (L) 2B
Corey Dickerson (L) LF
Harrison Bader (R) CF
Andrew Knizner (R) C
SP - Matthew Liberatore
Statistical leaders
Brewers:
Batting average: Hunter Renfroe -- .266
Hits: Hunter Renfroe -- 38
Home runs: Two tied -- 9
RBI: Rowdy Tellez -- 33
Wins: Brandon Woodruff -- 5
Saves: Josh Hader -- 15
ERA: Corbin Burnes -- 2.18
Cardinals:
Batting average: Paul Goldschmidt -- .345
Hits: Paul Goldschmidt -- 58
Home runs: Two tied -- 9
RBI: Paul Goldschmidt -- 36
Wins: Adam Wainwright -- 5
Saves: Giovanny Gallegos -- 8
ERA: Miles Mikolas -- 1.96
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Chuck Sommers
About the Author:
Chuck Sommers has camped outside of sportsbooks since he can remember, learning the tricks and nuances of the trade. He still has nightmares of betting $5,000 on the Raiders in the Tuck Rule game but has since turned that to 25 years of veteran handicapping greatness. You can find him mostly in the shadows at the Red Rock or Aliante casinos wondering if the over is cashing on any given Sunday.
