Boston Red Sox vs. St. Louis Cardinals: Preview, Predictions and Picks for May 18, 2024

Published on:
May 18, 2024 7:48 AM
The St. Louis Cardinals look to extend their series lead on Saturday, May 18, as they host the Boston Red Sox at Busch Stadium at 7:15 PM. The Cardinals, currently 19-25 overall and 7-11 at home, will aim to build on their 1-0 series lead against the 22-23 Red Sox, who are 12-10 on the road. Expect a competitive matchup as these two teams face off on a Saturday evening.
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Boston Red Sox
St. Louis Cardinals

Red Sox vs Cardinals starting pitchers

  • Miles Mikolas for St. Louis Cardinals
  • Kutter Crawford for Boston Red Sox

Red Sox vs Cardinals game preview

As the Boston Red Sox square off against the St. Louis Cardinals, all eyes are on the mound where Kutter Crawford and Miles Mikolas are set to lead their teams. Crawford, boasting an impressive ERA of 2.24 and a WHIP of 1.11 for the Red Sox, has proven to be a reliable arm this season. Contrastingly, the Cardinals' Mikolas, despite a higher ERA of 6.19 and WHIP of 1.48, brings experience and a battling spirit. Crawford's recent form suggests he might have the edge, but in baseball, it's anyone's game once that first pitch is thrown.

Turning to the Red Sox, they've been showing some solid numbers at the plate. With a team batting average ranking 12th in the league at .244 and some power stats to boot, they've certainly got the tools to give Mikolas a tough day. Key players like Rafael Devers and Tyler O'Neill are the ones to watch, with Devers hitting at a .285 average and O'Neill leading with 10 home runs this season. The team's ability to capitalize on scoring opportunities and maintain their discipline at the plate will be crucial in carving out a win against the Cardinals.

The Cardinals, on the other hand, are looking to bounce back and could leverage their capacity to get on base, shown by their high rank of third in runners left on base. Masyn Winn and Nolan Arenado will need to step up, especially with Willson Contreras sidelined. The team’s lower rankings in runs and hits reflect the struggles they've had in converting these opportunities into scores. They'll need a strong strategy and perhaps a bit of luck to ignite their batting stats and challenge Crawford effectively. Keep an eye on their adaptability and performance in high-pressure situations; this could turn the tide in what promises to be a gripping matchup.

St. Louis Cardinals injuries

  • Giovanny Gallegos (RP): 15-Day-IL
  • Steven Matz (SP): 15-Day-IL
  • Keynan Middleton (RP): 15-Day-IL
  • Riley O'Brien (RP): 60-Day-IL
  • Tommy Edman (SS): 60-Day-IL

Boston Red Sox injuries

  • Cutter Coffey (3B): Day-To-Day
  • Andrew Politi (RP): Day-To-Day
  • Mikey Romero (SS): Day-To-Day
  • Tyler Heineman (C): 10-Day-IL
  • Chih-Jung Liu (SP): Day-To-Day

How to Watch the Red Sox vs Cardinals

The Red Sox vs. Cardinals game will be televised on NESN and is scheduled for Sat 7:15 PM.

Red Sox vs Cardinals predictions

The Red Sox are coming into this one with some serious pop, and I'm expecting big things from Rafael Devers. This guy's been on a tear lately, and I think he's gonna go yard at least once in this game. Don't be shocked if he adds a couple more RBIs to his total, either. And let's not sleep on Tyler O'Neill, who's been quietly putting up some impressive numbers. I've got him down for a multi-hit game, with at least one extra-base hit. And of course, Kutter Crawford's gotta be feeling good about taking the mound against the Cards - I think he'll give up two or three runs, tops.

On the other side, the Cardinals are looking to get back on track after a tough stretch. I think Nolan Arenado's gonna be a key factor in this one - he's still one of the most feared hitters in the league, and I wouldn't be surprised if he goes deep twice in this game. And don't count out Masyn Winn, who's been raking lately and might just be the spark this team needs to get going again. Miles Mikolas is taking the hill for the Cards, and while he's had some ups and downs this season, I think he'll keep the Red Sox in check for at least five innings.

So, who's gonna come out on top? I've got the Red Sox taking this one, but it's gonna be close. I think Devers and O'Neill will be the difference-makers, and Crawford's gonna do just enough to keep the Cards at bay. Boston takes it 5-4 in a tight one.

Boston Red Sox vs. St. Louis Cardinals Betting Odds

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