Cardinals vs. Rockies Prediction and Odds for Thursday, August 11 (Expect a Ton of Runs in Colorado)

Get ready to watch the ball fly on Thursday afternoon, as the St. Louis Cardinals and Colorado Rockies play at 3:10 p.m. EST at Coors Field. 

The total in this game is sky high, and it was on Wednesday as well with two solid offenses facing off. The pitching matchup on Thursday may be worse than Wednesday’s as the struggling Dakota Hudson (6-6, 4.20 ERA) gets the ball for the Cards against German Marquez (6-9, 5.18 ERA). 

The Cardinals are looking to win the NL Central, while the Rockies are all but out of the playoff race in the NL. How should we bet this matinee matchup?

Here are the odds from DraftKings Sportsbook: 

Cardinals vs. Rockies Odds, Run Line and Total

Run Line:

• Cardinals -1.5 (-110)
• Rockies +1.5 (-110)

Moneyline:

• Cardinals: -165
• Rockies: +140

Total: 

• 11 (Over -115/Under -105)

Cardinals vs. Rockies Prediction and Pick

On the surface, Hudson’s numbers don’t look that bad this season, but he’s been brutal over the last two months. Since his start on June 12, Hudson has a 6.02 ERA and has walked 21 batters in 46.1 innings (nine starts). The Cardinals are just 3-6 in his last nine outings. 

Hudson has been getting lit up over that stretch, struggling to make it through five innings in several starts and watching opponents slash a shocking .312/.401/.445 against him. 

For the Rockies, Marquez has taken a huge step back in 2022 after making the All-Star team in 2021. He has lowered his ERA from 6.16 back on June 18 all the way to 5.18, but is that really enough to trust him in this matchup?

Rather than back either of these starters, I’m going to bet the OVER, as the Rockies are 29th in baseball in bullpen ERA this season. The ball should be flying at Coors Field in the summer, and both of these lineups are in the top-11 in the league in OPS this season. 

Lean: OVER 11 (-115)

Find Peter Dewey’s full betting record here.