Rays vs. Cardinals: Risk-Free $1,500 with Caesars Promo VIMAXSPORT15

Dan Zaksheske Sports Betting Expert

2 minute read

The Tampa Bay Rays and St. Louis Cardinals begin a three-game set tonight in St. Petersburg at the Trop. The Cardinals sit a half-game behind the Brewers in the NL Central at 32-23. Although the Rays are just a half game worse than the Cards at 31-23, they’re chasing the MLB-leading New York Yankees in the AL Central and sit eight games back in the division.

Updated on 12/24/2024

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St. Louis is on a strong run of late, going 12-5 in their last 17 games and enter this contest off of back-to-back wins over their division rival Chicago Cubs. After getting out to an excellent 18-10 start this season, Tampa has tread water since then going 13-13 in the past 26 and enter this matchup on a two-game losing streak.

Despite St. Louis being the hotter team, the Rays (-145) are installed as favorites in the series opener over the Cardinals (+125). Those odds are according to Caesars Sportsbook and right now you can sign up at Caesars and get a $1,500 Risk Free First Bet using the bonus code VIMAXSPORT15!

On the hill for the Rays is converted reliever Jeffrey Springs. Prior to this season, Springs had made just two starts at the professional level and after beginning this season in the bullpen has started six games this season, including his last five outings. Tampa has made popular the use of an “opener” but Springs has been much more than that of late. He’s pitched into the fifth inning in each of his past four starts, allowing just four earned runs over that stretch.

Homers have been a problem for Springs, however, allowing a pair of dingers in each of his past two starts. Springs has allowed just 25 hits this season and five of them (20%) have left the yard. Both Nolan Arenado and Paul Goldschmidt have hit double-digit home runs already this season and you can bet either one of them to hit one tonight over at Caesars. Don’t forget to use the bonus code VIMAXSPORT15 to get a $1,500 risk-free bet.

To oppose Springs, the Cardinals will send Dakota Hudson to the bump. Hudson is coming off one of his best starts of the season, completing seven innings for the first time this year while allowing just one run in a 5-2 win over the Padres last week. He allowed just five baserunners but also recorded just three strikeouts. It was the first game this year in which Hudson threw more than 100 pitches so it will be interesting to see if there’s any fatigue, although he’s had five days of rest since that outing.

Hudson has yet to strike out more than four batters in any start this season, but he also hasn’t allowed a homer in any of his past four starts. In fact, he's allowed just five runs over the same stretch with four coming in a contest against the Mets. He’s dropped his ERA from 3.56 to 2.96 over that span. If you think he can keep up the recent run, the Cardinals provide strong moneyline value, as a $100 bet pays out $125.

Written by Dan Zaksheske, our US sports betting industry expert.

Dan Zaksheske

Dan comes to VegasInsider with over a decade of sports media experience. After spending nearly 10 years as a producer at ESPN Radio, Dan decided to combine his two main passions into one career – sports and writing. Dan is a researched-based writer with a strong attention to detail and penchant for turning nerdy sports stats into entertaining commentary. He is an NFL expert with a strong background in MLB, the NHL, and the PGA. Outside of sports and writing, Dan is an admitted cat-enthusiast with three of his own. He is also a rookie umpire who recently began calling games for middle and high school kids. More from Dan Zaksheske