Free MLB Picks Today: Miami Marlins vs St. Louis Cardinals 7/3/23

The Miami Marlins (48-37), one of the least productive offenses in MLB, is set to host the St. Louis Cardinals (35-48) at loanDepot Park on Monday for the first of a four-game series.

The Cardinals are embarking on a seven-game road trip after closing out an eight-game homestand (4-4). They won two out of three in their last series against the Yankees, taking the finale 5-1 on Sunday at Busch Stadium. Brendan Donovan was 3 for 4 with a home run and two RBIs, stretching his on-base streak to 18 games.

The Marlins are back home for a seven-game homestand after returning from a six-game road trip (3-3). They were just swept in three games against the Braves, dropping the finale 6-3 on Sunday at Truist Park.

Luis Arraez’s on-base streak is up to 16 as he went 2 for 4 with a double and two RBIs. The teams are meeting for the first time this season.

In 2022, the Cardinals won four of the six games between the teams, including two out of three in their most recent meeting at Busch Stadium in June.

ON THE MOUND

Miles Mikolas (4-5, 4.44 ERA) is in line to start for St. Louis. The RHP allowed five runs over 5.2 innings in his last start, a 10-7 road defeat against the Astros on Wednesday. He gave up seven hits while striking out four and walking three in the no-decision.

Mikolas made one start against the Marlins in 2022, a 2-0 road victory on April 20. He allowed four hits over five scoreless innings, striking out five. Left-hander Braxton Garrett (4-2, 3.53 ERA) will take the mound for Miami.

Garrett made one start against the Cardinals in 2022, throwing 4.2 innings in a 5-3 road defeat on June 28. He gave up seven hits and walked one while striking out five in the loss.

In his last start on Wednesday, Garrett got the win on the road against the Red Sox. He threw five innings and gave up one run on three hits, striking out two and walking one in the 6-2 triumph.

AT THE PLATE

The St. Louis offense is averaging 4.6 runs per game for the season, with a slash line of .251/.325/.423. Paul Goldschmidt leads the team in OPS at .877. The first baseman is slashing .289/.379/.498 with 15 home runs, 46 RBIs, and 51 runs over 81 games.

Against southpaws like Garrett this season, the Cards have a .736 OPS. Nolan Arenado is the team’s strongest hitter against left-handers with a .902 OPS in 56 at-bats.

Miami is slashing .260/.320/.396 for the season and averaging 4.0 runs per game, the fifth lowest in the league. Arraez leads the team with a .918 OPS.

The second baseman has three home runs, 41 RBIs, and 36 runs scored with a slash line of .388/.439/.478. Miami is averaging only 3.0 runs per game in the last five with their slash line dropping across the board (.210/.263/.329).

The Fish have a .697 OPS against righties in 2023. With a .940 OPS over 235 at-bats, Arraez also has been their best hitter against right-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

St. Louis is 18-23 on the road in 2023, scoring 4.1 runs per game while allowing 4.3 runs. Miami has gone 25-16 at home this season, averaging 3.9 runs per game while surrendering 3.9.

St. Louis is 8-2 in the last 10 meetings at loanDepot Park with an average scoreline of 4.0-2.1.

STANDINGS UPDATE

The Cardinals are fifth in the NL Central, nine games behind the division-leading Brewers. The Marlins are second in the NL East, eight games behind the Braves.