Historic National League rivals will face off on Friday night as the Los Angeles Dodgers (71-51; 33-29 away) take on the St. Louis Cardinals (60-61; 31-27 home) at Busch Stadium. The first game of this three-game series is set to begin at 8:15 p.m. EST. The Dodgers secured three wins out of four against the Cardinals earlier this season. Will St. Louis find a way to even the score this time around?
Dodgers in a Tight Spot in the NL West
Unlike their opponents, the Dodgers played on Thursday and suffered a late-game loss to the Brewers, marking their second consecutive defeat. With only a 2.0-game lead in the NL West, the Dodgers, who rank fifth in scoring with an average of 4.93 runs per game, are eager to bounce back. They excel in several offensive categories, standing second in walk rate, third in home runs, fourth in on-base percentage, and fifth in slugging percentage. However, their .253 batting average places them 11th in the league. With Mookie Betts returning from injury, can this squad maintain their edge against fierce division rivals?
For the Dodgers, effective pitching is vital. They hold a remarkable 61-16 record when allowing fewer than five runs. Unfortunately, they struggled against the Brewers, failing to keep them under that mark in their latest outings. With uncertainty surrounding the starting pitcher for Friday, rookie Justin Wrobleski is in the spotlight for a potential spot start. If he takes the mound, he will need to support a bullpen that has logged the sixth-most innings this season. While LA’s relievers boast a fifth-best ERA, they rank lower in FIP and WAR. Following a blown save recently, the team will look to regain its form in St. Louis this weekend.
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Cardinals Seeking a Turnaround
The Cardinals are also in dire need of a turnaround, having lost four consecutive games, mirroring their wild-card standings woes. Veteran pitcher Miles Mikolas will aim to halt the losing streak. He faced the Dodgers earlier this season, surrendering seven hits and five runs in just 4.1 innings. His recent form has been concerning, with a 5.30 ERA and a 1.292 WHIP. If Mikolas can stabilize the situation, the Cardinals can rely on a bullpen that stands 11th in FIP and ninth in ERA. A return to Busch Stadium might just be the spark they need.
On the offensive side, St. Louis has struggled to make an impact this season, averaging only 4.10 runs per game, which ranks them 24th in the league. Their home run count is among the lowest, placing them 23rd, and their stolen base rate is also disappointing at 22nd. These statistics, combined with a walk rate that sits 24th in the majors, indicate a challenging battle at the plate. Despite their 13th place standing in batting average, consistency has eluded the Cardinals. Following a stretch where they failed to score more than three runs, will Friday mark a turning point for the team?
Predictions and Best Bets for Dodgers vs. Cardinals
In this matchup, skepticism surrounds Miles Mikolas. Having allowed five runs to the Dodgers earlier this season and holding a 6.38 ERA at home, he faces a formidable challenge. The Dodgers’ offense, fully healthy and averaging the fifth-most runs per game, is likely to capitalize on any mistakes.
Regardless of who the Dodgers choose to start, they should receive ample run support, relieving pressure from the mound. With the Cardinals’ offense struggling to exceed three runs in their recent losses, Los Angeles is poised to take advantage. Expect the Dodgers to secure a victory by a significant margin.
