Who has the betting edge as Brewers visit Cardinals in key NL Central series?

Things are heating up in the National League Central.

While the Cincinnati Reds, Pittsburgh Pirates and Chicago Cubs all sit at least 16 games under .500 as they mosey around the basement of the division, the St. Louis Cardinals and Milwaukee Brewers find themselves in a heavyweight battle that will determine who comes out on top come the end of the regular season.

St. Louis currently sits a half-game ahead of the Brewers atop the NL Central, and it’s done so on the shoulders of an impressive run that’s lasted more than two weeks.

The Cardinals have won 10 of their last 13 to surge ahead of Milwaukee, which has dropped six of its last nine.

Neither team opted to make a big splash at the trade deadline, but St. Louis did bring in a couple of arms to bolster its pitching staff, while the Brewers lost a key piece of the back end of their bullpen.

With just under two months to play until the postseason, FrontPageBets looks at the divisional race, which  is shaping up to be a photo finish.

Can the Cards hang on?

The Cardinals currently sit at -130 on DraftKings to reign supreme in the NL Central, while the Brewers trail close behind at -105.

St. Louis has the more well-rounded team with an offense, led by Paul Goldschmidt, that has the sixth-highest average in the major leagues (.264), has scored the sixth-most runs (525) and features a pitching staff that sits in the middle of the pack, posting the 17th-best ERA (3.95).

If Milwaukee wants to make a late-season push to claim first place in the division, it’s going to need to do so through its pitching, specifically its starting pitching.

And there’s good reason to believe the rotation is up for the task.

The Brewers recently got right-hander Freddy Peralta back from the injured list, and Corbin Burnes and Brandon Woodruff have proven to be a formidable duo. Adrian Houser is also on the mend after landing on the IL with an elbow injury.

Left-handed closer Josh Hader was traded to the San Diego Padres, though, and Devin Williams has taken his place as the ninth-inning guy, although he doesn’t seem all that comfortable in that role just yet.

Adding veteran relievers Taylor Rogers and Matt Bush doesn’t fully make up for Hader’s departure, but it certainly will help a bullpen that’s going to need to bring its A Game if the Brewers want to surge into the playoffs. Read more on the Brewers from the Wisconsin State Journal.

Even with the additions of left-handed starters Jordan Montgomery and Jose Quintana at the deadline, the Cardinals’ rotation isn’t quite at Milwaukee’s level. Read more about the Cardinals from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Big series, big matchups

St. Louis will welcome the Brewers to town on Friday when the teams open up a three-game series. Montgomery (4-3, 3.53 ERA) is set to pitch for the hosts, while Eric Lauer (8-3, 3.59) looks for his third consecutive win for Milwaukee. The Cardinals are -165 on the money line.

In terms of prop bets, all eyes should be on Brewers outfielder Hunter Renfroe, who is 5-for-13 (.385) in his career against Montgomery. The righty-lefty matchup bodes well for Renfroe, who is due for his first home run against the southpaw.

With Montgomery allowing four runs in two of his last three outings and a Brewers offense that hits the fourth-most homers in the major leagues, taking the over on Milwaukee’s team total in runs through the first five innings (1.5) at +100 offers a more than intriguing bet.  

Saturday’s matchup features a potential pitching duel, as Burnes (8-5, 2.45) takes the mound for Milwaukee and Adam Wainwright (8-8, 3.42) is slated to oppose him.

Wainwright has feasted on the Brewers throughout his career, posting a 20-14 record to go with a 2.81 ERA in 52 appearances (45 starts).

Two pitchers will be looking for redemption in the series finale when Aaron Ashby (2-10, 4.32) looks to keep the Cardinals in check. He’ll be opposed by Miles Mikolas (8-9, 3.50), who is coming off a shaky 10-run, 14-hit outing against the Colorado Rockies.

Ashby has yet to pick up a win against St. Louis in five career appearances (one start).

Gambling problem? There is help. Call 1-800-522-4700 or visit the National Council on Problem Gambling for help.