Sunday Night Baseball on ESPN will showcase the St. Louis Cardinals and the Atlanta Braves. This matchup is not very exciting when you look at these teams. The Cardinals are in fourth place in the National League Central division. They are not out of the playoff conversation, but they must start playing better baseball.
The Braves are in a similar situation. Atlanta is still below .500 on the season, which is shocking. The Braves were the favorite to win the National League East. Atlanta is still in the division race, but they must have a greater sense of urgency than St. Louis. Where should baseball bettors go in this one?
The first pitch on Sunday is scheduled for 7:05 PM ET from Truist Park in Atlanta. Kwang Hyun Kim will pitch for St. Louis, and the Braves have not named a starter.
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St. Louis Cardinals Preview
The Cardinals have defined inconsistency in 2021. When the pitching is solid, the defense is atrocious, and the team cannot hit. When baseballs are leaving the yard, St. Louis cannot pitch. Last weekend, the Cardinals also played on Sunday night.
The team was humiliated by the Cubs on Sunday and throughout the weekend. Chicago swept the Cardinals, widening their lead in the National League Central. The Cardinals bounced back with a sweep of the Miami Marlins, but the Braves will be a challenge.
St. Louis is batting .230 as a team with a .302 OBP. Their pitching has a cumulative ERA of 4.24. This is not terrible for a staff, but it does not equal a championship-caliber squad.
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Tyler O’Neil and Nolan Arenado have carried the offense in 2021. Paul Goldschmidt has also contributed at points, but he has many ebbs and flows this season. Arenado has been a lifesaver for the Cardinals.
He is slashing .273/.321/.500 with 12 HR and 44 RBI. The All-Star has stepped up in his first season with the club, but he must improve down the stretch.
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Atlanta Braves Preview
The Braves are not going to figure out how to win in 2021. We are approaching the halfway point of the season, and the team is under .500. That mark is unacceptable for a team as talented as the Braves.
Atlanta has stars that should get hot, but time is ticking on their playoff dreams. The best part about the Braves is Ronald Acuna Jr. He is the second coming of Mike Trout in the eyes of baseball.
He is a five-tool player that always seems to deliver in big spots. Acuna Jr. is batting .285 with 18 HR and 41 RBI as a 23-year-old.
Who Wins?
This matchup features two teams who have not played up to their capability in 2021. Kim will throw for St. Louis. His record is 1-4, but he has compiled a 3.72 ERA on the season. The team cannot score at will, which has hurt him in the win column.
The Braves may not have an excellent record. Although, they can deliver at the plate in critical spots of contests. It’s hard to count out the Braves in this game, despite their pitiful record.
I like Atlanta at home on Sunday night.
Need another free pick before you go? Check out our Red Sox at Royals preview & prediction for Friday night.