The St. Louis Cardinals (36-30) host the Toronto Blue Jays (36-30) in the final game of a three-game set early on Wednesday with both teams looking to build momentum in their respective division races.
Check out the rest of our Blue Jays vs Cardinals prediction and get locked in with our top MLB predictions for Wednesday and jump on my 13-6 MLB run.
The Blue Jays edged out the Cardinals 5-4 in Monday’s opener, setting the stage for another competitive matchup on Tuesday which was not yet complete at the time of this article's publishing. Both clubs are in the thick of their division battles. St. Louis sits second in the NL Central, four games behind the Cubs, while Toronto is tied for second in the AL East, also four games off the division lead.
Blue Jays look to stay hot
Toronto has found its stride in June, winning nine of its last eleven games and showing increased resilience in close contests. The Blue Jays’ offense is balanced but not overpowering, ranking ninth in batting average (.253) and middle-of-the-pack in both runs per game (4.26, 16th) and home runs (67, 16th). This depth has allowed them to produce timely rallies, as seen in Monday’s comeback win. The Blue Jays’ bullpen has been a significant asset, ranking eighth in MLB with a 3.38 ERA, providing stability in late innings when games are tight.
While the Blue Jays have not yet confirmed a Wednesday starter, recent reports indicate that Max Scherzer is nearing a return but is not expected to pitch in this series. Kevin Gausman could be another option. In 13 starts this season, Gausman is 5-4 with a 3.87 ERA. The bullpen’s strength will likely be tested again, especially if the game remains close into the late innings
Liberatore looking to bounce back
St. Louis has quietly built a strong record after a sluggish start, thanks to a lineup that excels at making contact. The Cardinals rank fourth in MLB with a .257 team batting average and seventh in runs scored (4.62 per game), despite being in the bottom third in both home runs and stolen bases. Their approach relies on stringing together hits and putting pressure on opposing pitchers.
Matthew Liberatore gets the nod for the Cardinals. He has been reliable at home, posting a 3-1 record with a 3.25 ERA at Busch Stadium this season. Overall, Liberatore is 3-5 with a 3.82 ERA and 1.13 WHIP in 12 starts, showing improved command and the ability to limit hard contact. Although Liberatore has been strong overall this season, he is coming off consecutive poor outings. The St. Louis bullpen has also been inconsistent, ranking 19th in MLB with a 3.99 ERA, which puts them at a disadvantage late.
Best Bets for Toronto Blue Jays vs. St. Louis Cardinals
Full-Game Side Bet
Insiders Status:
I understand why St. Louis is favored at home with Matthew Liberatore on the mound, but the Blue Jays have a much better chance to win than the odds suggest. Liberatore is coming off back-to-back poor starts in which the Cardinals lost 11-1 to the Rangers on the road and 7-5 to the Royals at home. He allowed 12 runs over nine innings in those two outings. This recent regression raises concerns that Liberatore may not be fully healthy. With a stronger bullpen and one of the more well-rounded lineups in the American League, I have to back Toronto to pull off the upset.
Full-Game Total Pick
Insiders Status:
Kevin Gausman is hard to trust in this matchup, posting a 4.35 ERA in seven road starts and a 5.17 ERA in seven daytime outings this season. As mentioned, I have concerns about Liberatore’s recent form, and the Cardinals’ bullpen behind him has been less than stellar. The trends also support a higher-scoring game—each of the last five Blue Jays contests and six of the last eight Cardinals games have featured at least nine total runs. I like the over here.
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