Cardinals vs. Phillies Odds, Prediction, Picks (April 18, 2021)

After the Phillies won the first game of the weekend set in blowout fashion, the Cardinals returned the favor in game two with a blowout victory of their own. Now, the two teams will square off in the rubber match of the three-game set on Sunday afternoon at Citizens Bank Park.

Let’s take a look at the Cardinals vs. Phillies odds as well as make a game prediction and player prop pick for this April 18, 2021 matchup.

Cardinals vs. Phillies Odds

Here is a look at the Sunday afternoon Cardinals vs. Phillies odds, courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook:

The Phillies will send staff ace Aaron Nola to the mound in an attempt to win the series. Nola has struggled over his last two games and is looking to get back on track this afternoon. He will be opposed by Cards righty John Gant, who is looking to lock down a permanent role in the St. Louis starting rotation.

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Cardinals vs. Phillies Prediction

Laying -182 isn’t exactly going out on a limb, but sometimes the situation simply warrants the hefty price. Plus, if you followed along yesterday for our wins on the Over 8.5 and Nola Arenado Over 1.5 total bases, you have a little money in your pocket to support the pricey outlay.

Big Start For Nola

This is a big game for the Phillies and Nola, who surely fancies himself an NL Cy Young candidate. He will not want to endure back-to-back losses after dropping his last start in 4-0 loss to the Mets last time out.

Swing at the first pitch.

Brandon Nimmo comes through to drive in 2 to make it 3-0! pic.twitter.com/w7xB0wFVFK

— SNY (@SNYtv) April 14, 2021

Nola, despite a mediocre five-inning effort on Tuesday night, did continue a five-start streak of allowing three earned runs or less. The right-hander has accomplished that feat in nine of his last 10 starts. The Phillies are 4-2 in his six career starts against St. Louis, with Nola lasting at least six innings in five of those six outings, while allowing one run or fewer in four of those games.

Nola has dominated the Cards at home, allowing just two earned runs in 14 1/3 innings, while striking out 16. The Phillies outscored St. Louis by a 16-5 margin in those two victories, giving us confidence that they will support their No. 1 with some runs again here.

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Current Cardinals have batted a surprisingly decent .246 (14-57) lifetime against Nola, but it’s been mainly toothless hitting, with just one home run and 13 strikeouts. St. Louis could also sit red-hot Yadier Molina and others down today in an early day game start after the late afternoon contest. After all, the Cards play again tomorrow night in Washington with a more favorable pitching matchup and may choose to load up there instead.

A Favorable Matchup for Phils

The Cardinals will counter with RHP Jon Gant today, who, like the entire St. Louis staff thus far this season, is unlikely to go deep in this one. He lasted just four and five innings in his two starts this season, making it five straight starts for the righty without going deeper than the fifth.

He failed to top five innings in both of his two career starts against the Phillies, as well, against whom he owns a 4.76 ERA. Cardinals pitching, in general, has had just one starter last longer than six innings this season and that was nine games ago. Could we see some weaker bullpen arms today with that more winnable game tomorrow against the Nats, especially if the Phils jump out to an early lead?

Cardinals vs. Phillies Pick

Some betting notes to know:

• St. Louis is just 1-3 in the final game of a series this season. They have lost four of their last five games against right-handed starters and six of their last seven after scoring 5+ in their previous game.
• Saturday’s victory was just the Cardinals’ second win at Citizens Bank Park in their last six tries and the Cards are just 2-5 against the Phils in their last seven head-to-head meetings. The Phillies are a strong 12-2 in their last 14 home games as a favorite and 19-7 in their last 26 overall on home soil.
• Today’s total is set at eight with most shops and the Phils are 8-1 in their last nine home games with totals set between 7 and 8.5.
• They have also won four of their last five here against RHP and 14 of their last 19 at home against teams with sub .500 overall records.

Game Pick: (Phillies -182)

Look for Philadelphia to move to 10-4 in their last 14 games against the NL Central with an important win this afternoon behind a strong outing from their ace.