St. Louis Cardinals at Los Angeles Angels odds, picks and predictions

The St. Louis Cardinals (18-24) take on the Los Angeles Angels (15-28) Wednesday in the finale of a 3-game set at Angel Stadium at 9:07 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Cardinals vs. Angels odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.

Season series: Cards lead 2-0

The Cardinals’ bats awakened from a season-long slumber Monday with 8 in the 7th inning to win 10-5. They carried it over to win a 7-6 nailbiter Tuesday. This has been more about the Angels’ ineptitude as opposed to the Cardinals raking. They left 23 men on base Tuesday. As we turn the page to Wednesday, the burning question is: Can the Cardinals actually complete a sweep?

The Angels have posted 11 runs and 19 hits but made 3 errors and walked 12 in the 1st 2 games of the series. The Halos are 28th in the league with a 4.84 ERA as their pitching woes continue to snowball. They are just 5-16 at home this season.

Cardinals at Angels projected starters

RHP Lance Lynn vs. RHP Griffin Canning

Lynn (1-1, 3.79 ERA) makes his 9th start. He has a 1.41 WHIP, 4.0 BB/9 and 8.5 K/9 in 40 1/3 IP.

• Last start: Loss, 4 2/3 IP, 4 ER, 5 H, 2 BB, 5 K Friday against Milwaukee Brewers
• Last 5 starts vs. Angels: 2-1, 5.34 ERA, 1.43 WHIP, 28 K in 28 2/3 IP

Canning (1-4, 5.75 ERA) makes his 9th start. He has a 1.35 WHIP, 3.3 BB/9 and 6.4 K/9 in 40 2/3 IP.

• Last start: No-decision, 4 2/3 IP, 4 ER, 6 H, 2 BB, 6 K in 5-4 loss at Pittsburgh Pirates Wednesday
• 2 career starts vs. Cardinals: 1-1, 6.10 ERA, 1.55 WHIP, 6 K in 10 1/3 IP

Win your fantasy baseball league with BaseballHQ.com. For decades, BHQ has been helping players just like you win! BHQ offers Draft Prep and full-season subscriptions. Sign up today and start winning!

Cardinals at Angels odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:38 p.m. ET.

• Moneyline (ML): Cardinals -120 (bet $120 to win $100) | Angels +100 (bet $100 to win $100)
• Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Cardinals -1.5 (+140) | Angels +1.5 (-165)
• Over/Under (O/U): 8.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)

Cardinals at Angels picks and predictions

Prediction

Cardinals 7, Angels 5

I’m banking on the Cards to complete a rare sweep Wednesday. That’s not a testament to what the Cardinals are doing, but it’s a fade on what the Angels’ defense and fundamentals have looked like. From the amount of failed fielders choices, to a failed suicide squeeze, the Angels are displaying some bad baseball. The Cards have taken advantage. The Cards’ pen worries me a little with RPs JoJo Romero and Ryan Helsley likely unavailable after a heavy workload Tuesday night. But we’ll account for that in the RL.

Take the CARDINALS -120.

At face value, the Cards’ side looks enticing here, but as mentioned, their bullpen is likely to be light on the back end.

So let’s pivot to Lynn. As we mentioned, the Angels struck out 13 times Tuesday. Lynn struck out 7 Angels in his last start against them last June and struck out 5 in 4 2/3 IP against Milwaukee last time out.

Take LANCE LYNN OVER 4.5 K’S (-135).

We have consistent conditions Wednesday night as we did the previous 2 nights. It’s slated to be 63 degrees with a 9-mph wind blowing straight out to center.

Literally everything points to the Over here. Lynn has been better at limiting them, but he led the majors in HRs allowed last year. He has allowed 8 ER in his last 2 starts. Canning allowed 5 ER in 5 IP against the Cards last May. The Over has easily cashed in both games of the series thus far.

Take the OVER 8.5 (-105).

Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!

For more sports betting picks and tips

SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

Follow Ryan Dodson on Twitter/X. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and like us on Facebook.