LA Dodgers starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani pitches against the Cincinnati Reds during an MLB game at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati, Ohio.

The St. Louis Cardinals (57-58) face the LA Dodgers (66-48) in the finale of a 3-game set Wednesday. First pitch from Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles is set for 4:10 p.m. ET (MLB Network). Let's analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's MLB odds around the Cardinals vs. Dodgers odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.

Season series: Cardinals lead 3-2

In 2025 Cardinals fashion, the Redbirds followed up a climactic win Monday with a properly laid egg Tuesday. RHP Miles Mikolas (L, 3 IP, 7 H, 5 ER, 1 BB, 1 K) gave up 3 homers and made it through just 3 innings. The baby birds' bats fought all the way to the end, putting up 5 runs in the final 3 innings in a 12-6 defeat. 3B Nolan Gorman went 2-for-4 with his 10th homer of the season. 1B Willson Contreras (2-for-4) hit his 16th jack of the year.

Speaking of bats, the Dodgers' lumber came alive. SS Mookie Betts broke an 0-for-22 slump with 3 hits (1 double, 2 singles). 3B Max Muncy went 4-for-5 with 2 homers. RF Teoscar Hernandez (3-for-5) also sent 2 out of the ballpark as their mashers took advantage of St. Louis' outdated pitch-to-contact approach. Muncy and Hernandez each finished with 4 RBIs.

Cardinals at Dodgers projected starters

LHP Matthew Liberatore vs. RHP Shohei Ohtani

Liberatore (6-9, 3.96 ERA) makes his 21st start. He has a 1.28 WHIP, 2.1 BB/9 and 6.9 K/9 over 109 innings.

  • Last start: Loss, 4 1/3 IP, 1 ER (4 R), 4 H, 2 BB, 1 K in 4-1 loss at San Diego Padres Friday
  • Career vs. Dodgers: 0-0, 7.27 ERA (8 2/3 IP, 7 ER), 1.39 WHIP, 9 H, 3 BB, 7 K over 6 relief outings; last faced them in 2024

Ohtani (0-0, 2.40 ERA) makes his eighth start. He has a 1.27 WHIP, 3.0 BB/9 and 10.2 K/9 through 15 innings. He's expected to pitch 4 innings Wednesday.

  • Last start: No-decision, 3 IP, 2 ER, 5 H, 2 BB, 4 K with 53 pitches in 5-2 loss at Cincinnati Reds July 30
  • Career vs. Cardinals: 1 road start, no-decision, 5 IP, 4 ER, 5 H, 1 BB, 13 K in 6-4 win for Los Angeles Angels in 2023

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Cardinals at Dodgers odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:05 p.m. ET.

  • Moneyline (ML): Cardinals +170 (bet $100 to win $170) | Dodgers -210 (bet $150 to win $100)
  • Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Cardinals +1.5 (-110) | Dodgers -1.5 (-110)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 9.5 (O: +100 | U: -120)

Cardinals at Dodgers picks and predictions

Prediction

Dodgers 7, Cardinals 6

Moneyline

This matchup is a lot closer than the +170/-210 odds would seem. However, Liberatore has surpassed his career high in innings and could be approaching a shutdown at some point. He has also allowed 12 runs in his last 3 starts, though 4 of those were unearned.

I'm going to PASS on the ML and take SHOHEI OHTANI UNDER 2.5 H + R + RBIs (-130). He has struggled at the plate on his pitching days, going 1-for-13 in his last 3 starts.

Run line/Against the spread

Give me the CARDINALS +1.5 (-110) at a very reasonable price. I wouldn't go as far to say that this is a pick 'em, but -210 on LA's ML is way off. The Cards won't quit, and the weather conditions should help keep them in it.

Over/Under

The wind is blowing out to straightaway center at 7 mph. I don't expect either starter to go past 5, and the teams combined to use 9 relievers Tuesday night.

I like OVER 9.5 (+100).

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This article originally appeared on Sportsbook Wire: St. Louis Cardinals at LA Dodgers odds, picks and predictions

Reporting by Ryan Dodson, Sportsbook Wire / Sportsbook Wire

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