Phillies vs. Cardinals: Game Preview, Odds, and Pitching Matchup for Aug. 11

After claiming the series opener in thrilling fashion, warding off an eighth-inning comeback attempt, the Phillies aim to take their road series with the St. Louis Cardinals (59-60) at 7:45 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 11.

Both teams have endured a rough patch since the All-Star Break, with the Cardinals falling out of a playoff spot; the Phillies (64-56) are faring much better but still need to show some consistency. Having ace left-hander Cristopher Sánchez on the mound should help them… and with an ERA well south of 3.00 on the season, Sánchez’s start on NBC Sports Philadelphia tonight is must-see TV.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Philadelphia Phillies -164 / St. Louis Cardinals +148
• Run Line: Philadelphia Phillies -1.5 (-101) / St. Louis Cardinals +1.5 (-119)
• Over/Under: 8 (Over -116 / Under -104)

Weather

It’s summer in St. Louis, which means a scorching first-pitch temperature of 90 degrees, tapering off into the mid-80s once the sun goes down. Humidity north of 60 percent will pose an added challenge, while 7-to-14 mile per hour winds out of the south-southwest will both stir the air and help the ball carry.

Pitching Matchup

The Cardinals will send Andre Pallante (3.63 ERA, 124.0 innings pitched, 1.22 WHIP and 6.53 K/9) to the mound against Sànchez (2.65 ERA, 149.2 innings pitched, and 10.46 K/9), pitting soft contact against swing-and-miss stuff.

Phillies vs. Andre Pallante

The Phillies boast a career 19-for-56 (.339 batting average) success rate against Pallante, but he’s managed to keep the ball in the yard. Kyle Schwarber (4-for-9 with a double and a homer) enjoys the most all-around success of any player on the Phillies, but Luis Arraez (4-for-8 with a double) and Brandon Marsh (3-for-6 with a walk) make it on base as often as not.

Bryson Stott (2-for-9), Trea Turner (1-for-5) and Alec Bohm (1-for-7) have all struggled in a limited sample size, so there are enough holes in the Phillies’ lineup for Pallante to skirt his way around major damage. With just six strikeouts in 60 plate appearances against Pallante, strikeout props are worth keeping an eye on for both starting pitchers.

Sánchez has liquidated the Cardinals to the tune of a .158 batting average (3-for-19 with nine strikeouts), while successful hitters like Schwarber, Arraez and Marsh all bear watching for their total bases props.

Tidbits

• The Philadelphia Phillies have been a highly reliable bet when favored on the road this season, posting a 23-10 (.697) record in that scenario.
• Philadelphia comes into this contest hot, having won seven of their last 10 games overall.
• The under has been a strong play for both clubs in their respective venues, hitting in 56.9% of the Phillies’ away games and 54.7% of the Cardinals’ home games.
• St. Louis has struggled to defend their home turf this year, holding a losing 30-34 (.469) record at Busch Stadium; the Phillies are road warriors with a better record away from Citizens Bank Park.