Free MLB Picks Today: St. Louis Cardinals vs New York Yankees 7/1/23

Gerrit Cole, one of this season’s stingiest pitchers, leads the New York Yankees (45-36) into Busch Stadium on Saturday as they take on the St. Louis Cardinals (33-47) for a three-game Interleague series-opening doubleheader.

The Yankees are in the midst of a six-game road trip. They won two out of three in their last series against the Athletics, taking the finale 10-4 on Thursday at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. Harrison Bader was 3 for 4 with a double, two runs, and one RBI.

The Cardinals are in the midst of an eight-game homestand. They lost two of three against the Astros in their last series, dropping the finale 14-0 on Thursday at Busch Stadium. Jordan Walker’s hitting streak is now at 17 as he went 1 for 2 with a walk. The teams are meeting for the first time this season. Last season, the Cardinals won all three games between the teams.

ON THE MOUND

Cole (8-1, 2.78 ERA) is set to take the mound for New York in the first game of the doubleheader. The RHP ranks fourth in the AL in ERA, tied for fourth in wins, and fifth in strikeouts (113).

Cole allowed three runs over 4.2 innings in his last start, a 5-3 road win over the Rangers on Sunday. He gave up nine hits while striking out seven and walking one in the no-decision. For St. Louis, righty Jack Flaherty (4-5, 4.95 ERA) will toe the rubber.

In his last start on June 19, Flaherty got the win on the road against the Nationals. He threw 6.1 innings and gave up six runs on 10 hits, striking out five and walking one in the 8-6 triumph.

AT THE PLATE

The New York offense is averaging 4.5 runs per game for the season, with a slash line of .231/.299/.410. Anthony Rizzo leads the team in OPS at .787. The first baseman is slashing .269/.357/.430 with 11 home runs, 37 RBIs, and 39 runs over 75 games.

Over the last five games, though, New York has averaged 5.6 runs a game while performing better across the board (.259/.328/.428). Against right-handed pitchers like Flaherty this season, the Yanks have a .702 OPS.

Gleyber Torres is the team’s most productive hitter against right-handers with a .751 OPS in 240 at-bats. St. Louis is slashing .250/.324/.422 for the season and averaging 4.6 runs per game.

Paul Goldschmidt leads the team with a .863 OPS. The first baseman has 14 home runs, 42 RBIs, and 50 runs scored with a slash line of .285/.374/.489.

The Cards have a .748 OPS against right-handers in 2023. With a .906 OPS over 230 at-bats, Goldschmidt also has been their best hitter against right-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

New York is 20-17 away from home in 2023, scoring 4.8 runs per game while allowing 4.2 runs. St. Louis has gone 15-24 at their home park this season, averaging 5.1 runs per game while surrendering 5.6. St. Louis is 4-2 in six meetings at Busch Stadium with an average scoreline of 5.2-4.2.