8:05 pm
August 4

Braves @ Cardinals

Who will WIN this matchup?

Atlanta Braves (53-54)

@ St. Louis Cardinals (53-53)

 

Starting Pitchers:

Smyly (ATL): 7-3; 4.40 ERA

Happ (STL) 0-0; 0.00 ERA

 

Current odds:

Atlanta Braves: (-105)

St. Louis Cardinals: (-105)

 

• J.A. Happ (5-6, 6.77 ERA) will make his first start for the Cardinals in the second game of the three-game series at Busch Stadium. He came from the Minnesota Twins in a trade shortly before Friday’s deadline. The Cardinals dealt for him and Lester to fill in while starting pitchers Miles Mikolas (forearm strain) and Jack Flaherty (oblique strain) continue their rehabilitation assignments in the minors.

• Happ is 4-0 with a 2.72 ERA in nine career outings against the Braves, including eight starts. He has enjoyed success against Abraham Almonte (0-for-8, four strikeouts), Dansby Swanson (0-for-4), Stephen Vogt (1-for-6) and Soler (2-for-13).

• The Braves have not won back-to-back games since July 10, and they have yet to reach the high side of .500 this season. They are 9-9 since the All-Star break. However, they have won four of five against the Cardinals this year, and the current series gives them a chance to finally gain traction.

• Atlanta ill start Drew Smyly (7-3, 4.40 ERA), who has allowed three runs or fewer in each of his past 10 starts. However, his longest start during that span was six innings, and he has failed to complete five innings in four of those games while battling left knee pain in recent starts. Smyly is 1-0 with a 1.86 ERA in two career starts against the Cardinals. He threw 5 2/3 scoreless against them during a 1-0 victory on June 20, and Paul Goldschmidt’s infield single was the only hit he allowed.

4/10
Confidence
StreakSmarter Pick
Atlanta Braves
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