MLB Picks: Atlanta Braves vs. St. Louis Cardinals

The St. Louis Cardinals are 15-7 in their last 22 games against National League East opponents, which is important to consider when making your MLB picks on Thursday as they prepare to take on the Atlanta Braves at Busch Stadium.

Courtesy of SBR Forum, the Cardinals are minus-135 home favorites in the pro baseball odds, with the betting total sitting at eight in the market.

Let's take a closer look at this high-profile matchup from a betting perspective, while offering up a prediction along the way. 

Atlanta Braves

The Atlanta Braves have alternated wins and losses over their last five games. They are currently coming off Wednesday's 4-1 victory over the New York Mets as minus-145 road favorites.

Braves starting pitcher Paul Maholm is 1-2 with a 4.91 ERA in five career efforts at Busch Stadium. 

St. Louis Cardinals

The St. Louis Cardinals went 4-2 on their recently completed six-game road trip, which ended with an 8-6 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers as minus-112 favorites on Wednesday.

Cardinals starting pitcher Joe Kelly is 3-0 with a 1.55 ERA in five outings since the All-Star break. 

Prediction

I'm going to recommend that readers back the St. Louis Cardinals in the first five innings, as the Atlanta Braves are 1-5 in Paul Maholm's last six starts as a road underdog of plus-110 to plus-150. 

MLB Pick: St. Louis Cardinals minus-135 First Five Innings

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