Cardinals vs. Rays (June 7): Playoff Hopefuls Begin Rare Interleague Matchup

In an intriguing Interleague series, two frequent MLB playoff participants begin a rare matchup tomorrow night at Tropicana Field as the Tampa Bay Rays host the St. Louis Cardinals.

The two teams have not met since 2017, when the Rays took two of three at Busch Stadium. Both teams have made the playoffs in each of the previous three seasons, and two months into this season, are well-positioned to continue their streaks.

The Cardinals are hot on the heels of the Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Central, while the Rays are comfortably–comfortably for this point of the season–in an AL wild-card spot.

Tuesday night’s opener sees two solidly performing pitchers take the hill in Dakota Hudson and Jeffrey Springs. The Rays are a solid favorite, and splits indicate that they should back it up. But the Cardinals are the hotter team at the moment and could provide good betting value for interested bettors.

St. Louis Cardinals vs. Tampa Bay Rays Betting Odds and Matchup Information

Matchup Information

• Matchup: St. Louis Cardinals (32-23, 16-12 road) vs. Tampa Bay Rays (31-23, 18-13 home)
• Venue & Location: Tropicana Field (St. Petersburg, Florida)
• Date: Tuesday, June 7, 2022
• Time: 7:10 p.m. Eastern Time
• How to Watch Cardinals vs. Rays: Bally Sports Midwest (Cardinals), Bally Sports Sun (Rays), MLB Extra Innings (subscription package)

Cardinals vs. Rays Pitching Matchup

• St. Louis Cardinals: Dakota Hudson (2022: 10 starts, 4-2, 2.96 ERA)
• Tampa Bay Rays: Jeffrey Springs (2022: 14 appearances – 6 starts, 2-2, 1.88 ERA)

Cardinals vs. Rays Odds

Game odds are via BetOnline. Odds from our other top reviewed and recommended sportsbooks may also be included in this article.

Moneyline

• St. Louis Cardinals +134
• Tampa Bay Rays -158

Over/Under

• OVER 7.5 (-118)
• UNDER 7.5 (-104)

Run Line

• St. Louis Cardinals +1.5 (-146)
• Tampa Bay Rays -1.5 (+122)

Hudson Seeks for Improved Road Results After Shutting Down San Diego

On May 19, Hudson had his worst start of the season, as he allowed four runs and five hits in 4.2 innings against the Mets at Citi Field.

He has bounced back from those two starts by allowing only one run in 11.2 innings across his last two starts, and he was excellent against the San Diego Padres this past Wednesday. In the Cardinals’ 5-2 win, Hudson allowed one run, four hits, and one walk and struck out three in seven innings to pick up his fourth win of the season.

But he heads into this start aiming for a much better result than he has had in most of his road starts this season. In five road starts, Hudson is 1-2 with a 4.68 ERA, compared to a 3-0 record and a 1.35 ERA in five starts at Busch Stadium. Of the five times that Hudson has allowed three or more runs this season, four have come on the road.

But Hudson has solid overall recent numbers against solid opposition, which is encouraging even though he has yet to have a positive result on the road against a good opponent this season. In his last 11 starts against opposition with a record above .500, Hudson is 5-1 with a 2.75 ERA.

St. Louis Cardinals vs. Tampa Bay Rays Prediction and Best Bets

Cardinals vs. Rays Prediction: Cardinals to win

Cardinals vs. Rays Best Bets: Cardinals ML (+134 at BetOnline)

Springs has allowed three or more runs only once in his first six starts this season, and he has been better at home (1-1, 1.45 ERA in eight appearances – three starts) than on the road (1-1, 2.29 ERA in six appearances – three starts).

But with how well things have been going for the Cardinals recently, this number is excellent value with one of their better starting pitchers on the hill.