After one run-fest and one game that came down to an error, the St. Louis Cardinals and Toronto Blue Jays square off again this afternoon in a tasty series decider.
The Cardinals got their first win on the board yesterday behind five hitless innings from Jack Flaherty (albeit with seven walks) and a key 2-RBI single from Nolan Gorman, overcoming a seven-strikeout performance from Toronto’s Kevin Gausman.
For the Blue Jays, that outing was a far cry from their 19-hit effort on Thursday – but the visitors still managed to strand 12 runners despite finishing with just three hits.
Take a closer look at this matchup with our MLB picks and predictions for Blue Jays vs. Cardinals on April 2.
Blue Jays vs Cardinals odds
Blue Jays vs Cardinals predictions
If there was a silver lining for the Toronto Blue Jays in yesterday’s loss, it was how they created scoring opportunities on a day when their bats were cold.
Even on a three-hit afternoon where George Springer, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and Daulton Varsho combined to go 0-for-10, this remodeled Toronto ballclub had its opportunities with runners in scoring position – only to go 0-11 in those at-bats.
I expect that to even out today, with the visitors’ offense making some noise again and Chris Bassitt bringing his unique arsenal to Busch Stadium. While Bassitt is familiar to Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado from his time in the NL with the Mets last season, I see him keeping this St. Louis Cardinals offense off balance, with six reliable pitches making him tough to attack.
The Cardinals send lefty Jordan Montgomery to the mound today – and I like that matchup for Toronto, even if Montgomery has a 3-1 record against the Blue Jays. Montgomery’s numbers in 2022 were stingier against lefties, which bodes well for the right-handed bats at the top of the visitors’ line-up,
Yesterday, it was a costly (and rare) Matt Chapman error that swung the game in St. Louis’ favor, and I see Bassitt doing just enough to put Toronto on course to win the series.
My best bet: Blue Jays moneyline (+102 at BetRivers)
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Blue Jays vs Cardinals moneyline analysis
Given what these teams have served up over the first two games of this series, it’s only natural that today’s game is essentially a coin flip. Shop around though, as some sportsbooks do have plus odds for the Blue Jays.
Variety will be the name of the game for Toronto as Bassitt makes his Blue Jays debut. Expect to see a little of everything: four-seam and two-seam fastballs, a change up, two different sliders, a cutter, and the slow curveball.
There shouldn’t be the same mystery for the Toronto bats against Montgomery — he’s familiar to the Blue Jays after parts of six seasons in the AL East for the Yankees. Bo Bichette, in particular, has had a lot of success against Montgomery (six hits in 11 at-bats, including two HRs).
Alejandro Kirk, who also has a HR against Montgomery, should feature here after sitting out yesterday and Whit Merrifield could replace Cavan Biggio at second base. The Cardinals breathed a sigh of relief when catcher Wilson Contreras’ MRI came back clean after taking a pitch on the knee on Thursday, but he’s doubtful for today’s contest.
Blue Jays vs Cardinals Over/Under analysis
The Over/Under line sits at 8 – but again, there aren’t many reliable clues to work with after two wildly different games between these teams. Still, I keep coming back to the threat that the Blue Jays posed yesterday despite an ugly hitting day at the plate.
I expect an explosive response this afternoon and I’m leaning towards the Over, which is 7-2 in the past nine meetings between these teams overall and 4-0 in Toronto’s last four outings against a left-handed starter.
Both bullpens have looked shaky in this series, so the Over would still be on the table here even if the starters get off to a strong start. Relievers Tim Mayza and Yimi Garcia had rough outings on Thursday for the Blue Jays, while the Cardinals’ Jordan Hicks walked three in the eighth inning yesterday to briefly open the door for Toronto.
Blue Jays vs Cardinals game info
| Location: | Busch Stadium, St. Louis, MO |
| Date: | Sunday, April 2, 2023 |
| First pitch: | 2:15 p.m. ET |
| TV: | Sportsnet, Bally Midwest |
Blue Jays vs Cardinals betting preview
Starting pitchers
Chris Bassitt (0-0, 0.00 ERA): The 34-year-old right-hander is the king of soft contact, with opponents’ average exit velocity hitting just 85.7 mph in 2022 (ranking in the Top 5% in the majors). Bassitt recorded a 15-9 record with the Mets last year to go with a 3.42 ERA (right around his career average) and a 1.14 WHIP.
Jordan Montgomery (0-0, 0.00 ERA): Montgomery finished with a 9-6 mark in 2022 and a 3.48 ERA overall, but his ERA improved to 3.11 after being traded to the Cardinals. While he relies on his four-seamer, he’ll need to mix in his change up and curveball against this hard-hitting Toronto line-up.
Latest injuries
Trend to know
Busch Stadium tends to serve up high-scoring games between these teams. The Over is 6-1 in the last seven meetings in St. Louis. Find more MLB betting trends for Blue Jays vs. Cardinals
