Free MLB Picks Today: San Diego Padres vs St. Louis Cardinals 9/21/22

Free MLB Picks Today: San Diego Padres vs St. Louis Cardinals 9/21/22
Wed 21st September 2022

The San Diego Padres (+170) host the St. Louis Cardinals (-200) at Petco Park on Wednesday. The early total was set at 7.5 (O: -110 | U: -110). The Padres (82-66) took Tuesday’s series opener 5-0, their fourth straight victory overall and first in four games against the Cardinals this season. Starter Mike Clevinger threw 5.2 scoreless innings for the win. Ha-Seong Kim went 2 for 4 with a solo home run in the win. Juan Soto added one run and one RBI on two hits. Albert Pujols was 2 for 3 for the Cardinals (87-62).

ON THE MOUND

Miles Mikolas (11-12, 3.46 ERA) is in line to get the start for St. Louis. The RHP allowed three runs over six innings in his last start, a 3-2 road defeat against the Reds on Thursday. He took the loss, yielding five hits while striking out three and walking three. Mikolas is making his first appearance against the Padres this season. Mikolas made one start against the Padres in 2021, an 8-2 home victory on September 17. He allowed three hits over 5.2 scoreless innings, striking out three and walking two. Southpaw Blake Snell (7-9, 3.85 ERA) takes the mound for San Diego. He has made one prior start against the Cardinals this season, giving up two runs over six innings in a 3-2 road defeat on May 31. He gave up two hits and walked three, while striking out six in the no-decision. In his last start on Friday, Snell got the win on the road against the Diamondbacks. He threw seven innings and gave up one run on four hits, striking out seven, in the 12-3 triumph.

AT THE PLATE

Over the last five games, St. Louis has averaged only 2.4 runs a game, down from their season average of 4.8, while performing worse across the board (.187/.284/.265). Against left-handed pitchers like Snell this season, the Cards have a .819 OPS, highest in the league. Paul Goldschmidt is the team’s most potent producer against left-handers with a 1.370 OPS in 104 at-bats. San Diego is averaging 5.0 runs per game in the last five, up slightly from 4.4 for the season. The Padres have a .698 OPS against righties in 2022. With a .545 SLG over 296 at-bats, Manny Machado has been their best power hitter against right-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

St. Louis is 36-35 away from home in 2022, scoring 4.8 runs per game while allowing 4.5 runs. San Diego has gone 39-31 at home this season, averaging 3.8 runs per game while surrendering 3.8. San Diego is 8-2 in the last 10 meetings at Petco Park with an average scoreline of 6.5-3.4.

STANDINGS UPDATE

The Cardinals lead the NL Central by eight games over the Brewers. Their magic number to clinch the division is six. The Padres are second in the NL West, 21 games behind the Dodgers. They currently occupy one of the Wild Card spots, sitting second.

SportsTips’ MLB Pick:

St.Louis Cardinals (+105)

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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.

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