Blue Jays vs. Cardinals Prediction and Odds for Monday, May 23 (Can Toronto's Offense Get on Track?)

Two teams with playoff aspirations begin a 3 game series in St. Louis on Monday.

The Toronto Blue Jays are a bit off the lofty goals they set for themselves, seven games behind the Yankees atop the AL East, but are firmly in the Wild Card mix as they start a series against the 23-18 Cardinals. The Cards are three games behind the Brewers in the NL Central race, but will look to make up some ground with their best pitcher Miles Mikolas on the mound.

Who has the edge on Monday night? Here are the odds from WynnBET Sportsbook:

Blue Jays vs. Cardinals Odds, Run Line, Total

Run Line:

• Blue Jays: +1.5 (-200)
• Cardinals: -1.5 (+165)

Moneyline:

• Blue Jays: +105
• Cardinals: -125

Total: 7.5 (Over +100/Under -120)

Blue Jays vs. Cardinals Prediction and Pick

The Blue Jays are hanging around, but it's not based on their vaunted offense. The team has the 27th highest batting average this month and are averaging just over three runs. Can they get on track against the Cardinals with Mikolas on the bump? It may seem difficult, but the starter may be starting to trend in the wrong direction after a hot start.

Mikolas is allowing more hits over the last three starts than in his first five, allowing a season high seven in two of his last three but is still posting a sub-2.00 ERA. However, his FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching) is trending closer to 3.00. With his low strikeout rate (6.7 K/9 innings), the Blue Jays can put the ball in play and put runs on the board.

While we are concerned about the Toronto offense, the Cards have been the opposite in May. St. Louis is has the fourth highest slugging percentage in baseball and have two emerging MVP candidates in Nolan Arenado and Paul Goldschmidt (hitting nearly .330 this season).

Against Jose Berrios, who has allowed more than 10 hits per nine innings and an ERA north of 4.50, I expect St. Louis to keep it rolling at the dish.

I'll take the cheap price on the over with some regression in store for both Mikolas and the Jays offense.

LEAN: OVER 7.5 (+100)

You can find all of Reed's bets HERE!