It’s a national TV game and excellent pitching matchup Wednesday when the St. Louis Cardinals visit the Atlanta Braves in the third game of their four-game set.

Very possible this is a playoff preview, as this writer fully expects both in the postseason, either as a wild-card team or division champion. The Cardinals were 1-6 against the 2021 World Series champion Braves last season, their worst single-season record vs. Atlanta since 1999 in which they went 1-8 (.111). It marked their worst single-season series record against a team they played at least six games since going 1-5 against the Braves in 2012. The Cardinals haven’t won a series against the Braves since taking 2-of-3 at Truist Field in 2018 (Sept. 17-19).

The Braves are on pace to win 93 games this season. The last time a 90-win team did not make the postseason was 2010, when the 90-72 San Diego Padres finished one game behind the Braves for the Wild Card spot. There was only one Wild Card slot that season. There are three this year.

That said, Nitrobetting tackles the nitty-gritty details of the clash below. We highlight basic event information, crucial stats, and the latest baseball betting odds. More than that, we share timely betting trends and predictions that help you lock in on the best picks.

Cardinals vs. Braves Game Information

Here's how the #Braves will line up tonight!

And here's where you can send the #Braves to the All-Star Game: https://t.co/iIW7Hg25wZ pic.twitter.com/3aViY2N4GW

— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) July 5, 2022

• When: Wednesday, July 6, 2022, 8:10 PM ET
• Where: Truist Park, Cobb County, Georgia
• TV: ESPN
• Radio: KMOX 1120 AM (Cardinals) / 93.7 FM The Fan (Braves)
• Live Stream: MLB.tv
• MLB Odds: Cardinals (+112) / Braves (-128)

READ MORE: Twins vs. White Sox MLB Odds, Preview and Prediction – July 5th, 2022

Why bet on the St. Louis Cardinals?

The Cardinals remain without outfielder Tyler O’Neill, who went 2-for-3 on Monday in his minor league rehab assignment debut for Triple-A Memphis. O’Neill is trending towards a return to the Cardinals’ lineup later this week. The 27-year-old has been out since late June due to a left hamstring strain. Over 45 games this year, he’s slashed .241/.292/.361 with four home runs, six stolen bases, 28 RBI and 22 runs.

Fellow outfielder Harrison Bader, DH Corey Dickerson and future Hall of Fame catcher Yadier Molina also are all on the injured list. Molina has yet to be cleared to resume baseball activities. Molina has been on the injured list for the last two-and-a-half weeks with persistent right knee discomfort and remains in his native Puerto Rico rehabbing. Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said that Yadi is “working hard and feeling better” but there is “nothing I’m aware of” as far as a potential timetable for a return goes. The Cards called up Austin Romine on Monday to share catching duties with Andrew Knizner.

The 39-year-old Molina announced that 2022 would be his last season in the majors. He’s been held to just 38 games so far this year and he’s slashed .213/.225/.294 with two home runs, 10 RBI and 10 runs.

Bader is out with plantar fasciitis in his right foot and not particularly close to a return. Bader, 28, is hitting .256 with five home runs, 21 RBIs and a .673 OPS this season. He was among the league leaders with 15 steals.

Why bet on the Atlanta Braves?

Atlanta is without excellent young second baseman Ozzie Albies. The 25-year-old was placed on the 60-day injured list in mid-June after he fractured his foot. He’s not going to be able to return until the middle of August at the earliest. The 25-year-old had hit .244/.289/.405 with eight homers and three steals across 263 plate appearances.

Outfielder Eddie Rosario went 1-for-4 on Monday in his return to the Braves’ lineup. Rosario started in left field and batted seventh against the Cardinals in his return after missing over two months due to an eye procedure back in late April. He was a big reason the Braves won the 2021 World Series.

On the mound for Atlanta on Wednesday is ace lefty Max Fried (8-2, 2.66 ERA). Fried tossed seven innings and allowed just one run last Friday as the Braves beat the Reds 9-1. The southpaw fired 63 of 94 pitches for strikes en route to his third straight quality start and 12th in his last 14 trips to the mound. Fried lost his first two starts this year, but since then, he’s gone 8-0 with a 2.29 ERA in 14 turns. He’s an incredible 46-15 since the beginning of 2019, good for a .754 winning percentage.

It’s Miles Mikolas (5-6, 2.61 ERA). Mikolas yielded four runs — two earned — in 5 1/3 innings last Friday in a loss to the Phillies. It was just the third time this year that Mikolas has allowed more than three runs, but it still didn’t do any real damage to his ERA, since half of the runs were unearned. The Cardinals are 9-7 when he pitches, and they’ve scored a total of seven runs in those seven defeats.

Cardinals vs. Braves MLB Betting Trends

• The Cubs are 3-3 in their last six games against the Brewers.
• The Cubs are 3-3 in their last six road games.
• The totals have gone over in six of their last ten games against the Brewers.
• The Brewers are 3-2 in their last five home games against the Cubs.
• The Brewers are 4-1 in their last five games at American Family Field.
• The totals have gone under in two of their last five home games against the Cubs.

Cubs vs. Brewers Betting Prediction

Braves win.

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