- Matchup: St. Louis Cardinals vs Los Angeles Dodgers
- Date: Thursday, September 3, 2026
- Venue: Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, CA
- Broadcast: Spectrum SportsNet LA
- Betting Odds: St. Louis (+120) | Los Angeles (-144)
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On Thursday, Dodger Stadium will be the battleground as the Los Angeles Dodgers (82-56) host the St. Louis Cardinals (69-70). The betting line favors the Cardinals at +120, while the Dodgers are listed at -144. The total runs forecast is set at 9. Projected starting pitchers include Quinn Mathews and Tarik Skubal.
The St. Louis Cardinals are averaging 4.5 runs per game, which places them 17th in the league. They’ve scored 623 total runs with an on-base percentage of .316. The team has recorded 195 doubles and 148 home runs, along with 605 RBIs and 1,128 hits for the season, culminating in a .241 batting average. The Cardinals hold a slugging percentage of .384 and have struck out 1,091 times, receiving 444 walks.
This season, the Cardinals have a team ERA of 4.24, ranking them 20th in MLB, with pitchers striking out 1,092 batters. The staff has allowed 138 home runs and 633 runs scored (19th in the league). Their pitchers have issued 470 walks, with a collective FIP of 4.07. The Cardinals have given up 1,195 hits (8.7 per 9 innings) and 584 earned runs, leading to a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 2.32 and a WHIP of 1.34.
This season, the Cardinals have fielded 467 relievers, and 38.9% of inherited runners have scored. The bullpen has secured 89 holds (5th in MLB) and has entered 141 times with runners on base, with 168 high-leverage appearances. To date, they’ve converted 40 saves from 64 opportunities, yielding a save percentage of 62.5% across 157 save situations.
So far this season, the Cardinals have recorded 3,717 putouts, 1,288 assists, and 58 errors, yielding a fielding percentage of .989 that ranks 4th in the majors. They have turned 134 double plays and converted 69.1% of balls in play into outs across 11,151 innings, positioning them 25th in the league.
Matthews (1-2 career record) has a FIP of 5.08 after facing 89 batters in the major leagues. He has allowed 23 hits (10.8 hits per 9 innings) and issued 8 walks, resulting in a 5.16 ERA with 11 earned runs. His WHIP stands at 1.615, with 20 strikeouts over 19 innings pitched in his MLB career.
The Dodgers have a collective slugging percentage of .421, averaging 4.91 runs per game—ranking 4th in the league. The team has achieved 225 doubles along with 678 runs scored and 169 home runs this season, totaling 640 RBIs. They have struck out 1,083 times (27th in MLB) and secured 1,198 hits, with a .335 on-base percentage and a .257 batting average.
With a team WHIP of 1.161 and a FIP of 3.89, the Dodgers are leading MLB in total hits allowed, having given up 989 hits. The pitching staff has yielded 530 runs this season, boasting a 3.69 team ERA (500 earned runs). The K/BB ratio stands at 9.30 (1,259 strikeouts vs. 428 walks), permitting 156 home runs and averaging 3.91 runs allowed per 9 innings (4th in the league).
Ranking 14th in save percentage at 66.7%, 450 bullpen pitchers have been deployed this season. The relief staff has appeared 147 times in high-pressure scenarios and 98 times with runners on base. With 146 save opportunities, the Dodgers have recorded 88 holds and 19 blown saves, converting on 38 saves out of 57 save chances while inheriting a score rate of 34.8% from their 158 inherited runners.
Across 10,986 innings, the Dodgers have achieved a defensive efficiency of 72.5% (1st in MLB). Their season stats showcase 75 double plays and a .989 fielding percentage (3rd in MLB) along with 1,109 assists, 54 errors, and 3,662 putouts.
Skubal (career record of 55-39) boasts a 3.07 ERA, allowing 7.2 hits per 9 innings. His strikeout-to-walk ratio is 5.17 as he has faced 3,177 hitters throughout his career. He has allowed a total of 272 earned runs, recording a WHIP of 1.026 and a FIP of 3.0. In his professional career, Skubal has conceded 638 hits, while amassing 926 strikeouts in 796 innings pitched.
Who do you think will take the win in tonight’s MLB matchup against the spread or moneyline?
Prediction: Choose St. Louis (+120)
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