St. Louis Cardinals vs. Milwaukee Brewers Prediction, Preview, Picks & Odds - 4/16/2022

Time: 7:10 p.m. ET

Venue: American Family Field, Milwaukee, WI

Where to watch: Bally Sports Midwest, Bally Sports Wisconsin

DraftKings: Brewers -120, Cardinals +100

BetMGM: Brewers -120, Cardinals +100 

Caesars: Brewers -120, Cardinals +100

Cardinals: 4-2

Brewers: 4-4

It’s normally the Milwaukee Brewers that have the dominant pitching and can carry that to a win when needed. The dominant pitching belonged to the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday with Miles Mikolas on the mound, and the Cardinals’ bats pounced on Freddy Peralta early in a 10-1 win over the Brewers.

Mikolas threw a superb 6.1 innings while striking out seven, and the Cardinals got six runs in the first two innings before chasing Peralta after the third inning. Nolan Arenado went 2-for-3 with a home run to cap off a 3-RBI night, and three other players had two RBI for the Cardinals to bounce back after the series-opening loss on Thursday.

"Our goal was if we could control the strike zone, we could control the counts," Mikolas said. "And if we could do that, then we could do our best to control the game and keep things in our favor."

Indeed that’s what they did against one of the game’s best No. 2 pitchers. But it also helped the fact that Mikolas ran through the Brewers’ lineup like it was nothing. He only allowed three hits while walking one. Kolten Wong, Willy Adames and Christian Yelich went a combined 0-for-11, and the Brewers were kept to just six hits.

"To go out there and know you've got some cushion, it's good and I think it helps a starter really attack the zone," Mikolas said.

But to have no answer for how Mikolas mowed down the lineup is yet another question for the Brewers lineup. If this group can’t produce while their starters are getting shelled like this, it’s not going to be a fun year for the reigning NL Central champs.

"He had everything working," Brewers manager Craig Counsell said of Mikolas. "That was kind of the story tonight. The curveball was good. The slider was good. His fastball was located. It didn't feel like we got many balls to hit."

The Cardinals aren’t even operating at full strength when it comes to their rotation. Ace pitcher Jack Flaherty is still recovering from a right shoulder injury. Imagine what a healthy Flaherty can bring to this rotation with Mikolas pitching this way, as well as not putting all the pressure of Adam Wainwright.

“He's on track," Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said. "Everything's kind of moving along in the direction we were hoping for as part of his throwing program."

Saturday’s pitching matchup is going to be a battle of two guys who are in need of better performances. Steven Matz didn’t get out of his first start against the Pirates (7 earned runs in just 3 innings). Adrian Houser went only 3.2 innings against Baltimore and gave up two runs and walked three. Something’s got to give here, and I think the Cardinals can ride the wave of momentum here to another win. Cardinals win 7-3

Cardinals are 21-26 when ML is between +100 and +150 in the past three seasons.

Cardinals are 66-54 against division opponents the past three seasons.

Brewers are 55-41 as a home favorite of -110 or higher in the past three seasons.

Cardinals:
Dylan Carlson (S) RF
Paul Goldschmidt (R) 1B
Tyler O'Neill (R) LF
Nolan Arenado (R) 3B
Albert Pujols (R) DH
Paul DeJong (R) SS
Harrison Bader (R) CF
Yadier Molina (R) C
Tommy Edman (S) 2B
Steven Matz (LHP)

Brewers:
Kolten Wong (L) 2B
Willy Adames (R) SS
Christian Yelich (L) LF
Andrew McCutchen (R) DH
Rowdy Tellez (L) 1B
Hunter Renfroe (R) RF
Omar Narvaez (L) C
Lorenzo Cain (R) CF
Jace Peterson (L) 3B
Adrian Houser (RHP)

Batting average: Nolan Arenado -- .435

Hits: Nolan Arenado -- 10

Home runs: Nolan Arenado -- 4

RBI: Nolan Arenado -- 12

Wins: Four tied -- 1

Saves: Giovanny Gallegos -- 1

ERA: Miles Mikolas -- 2.61

Batting average: Rowdy Tellez -- .318

Hits: Andrew McCutchen -- 8

Home runs: Four tied -- 1

RBI: Two tied -- 4

Wins: Four tied -- 1

Saves: Josh Hader -- 3

ERA: Corbin Burnes -- 2.25