Put In This Play For Game 1 Of Doubleheader

Cardinals vs. Tigers, 3:40 ET Game 1

Doubleheader means double the baseball for our diamond dogs. That doesn't mean you're going to get twice as many bets out of me though. I have never been to a doubleheader, but it is on the bucket list (along with visiting all of the stadiums). I do think it is important to consider that it is a doubleheader because you need to start evaluating the possibility that regular lineups won't play in both games. For this one, we have the Cardinals taking on the Tigers in Detroit in Game 1 of the two-game showdown. 

The Cardinals are a confounding team. They have a great lineup with multiple above-average hitters, but they haven't done much impressive last season, and collectively are… well… hot garbage as a team this year. Sure, the record is around average for the season at 13-15, but they are only hitting .217, which is among the lowest in the league. They have only scored 100 runs, third-fewest in the Majors. They are one of only two teams that don't have at least 200 hits. There is some reason for optimism about the hitting, as Paul Goldschmidt is one of the best hitters in the league, and he is currently hitting .208. Maybe it is a down year for the former MVP, or maybe he turns it around. The pitching has improved for the Cardinals this season. Collectively, the team has a 3.86 ERA. This was a big concern for them last season, and it looks like the team addressed the problem. One of their additions, Kyle Gibson, takes the ball today for the Cardinals, and he has been at the very least an innings eater, and potentially is finding his stride. Gibson has gone at least six innings in all five starts this year and he has three quality starts. His worst start was against the Marlins (of all teams) and he allowed almost half of his fifteen earned runs on the season in that game. He has posted back-to-back six inning, one earned run starts and looks to continue here. Gibson has allowed 14 hits in their 57 at-bats against him. Only three have gone for extra bases though. 

Apr 14, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Tigers pitcher Jack Flaherty (9) throws during the game against the Minnesota Twins at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Brian Bradshaw Sevald-USA TODAY Sports

The Tigers are still playing good baseball, but it isn't quite as good of ball as earlier in the year. Now the question will be if the team just had a hot start or if they truly are a solid team. Like the Cardinals, there are some concerns on the offensive side of the diamond. They aren't hitting much better than St. Louis. They have only 11 more hits, and a .223 average this season. They have scored 13 more runs than the Cardinals, but it still is just under four runs per game. The Tigers could benefit from taking some walks, but with a guy like Javier Baez in the lineup, walks aren't a realistic expectation. Also like the Cardinals, the Tigers are led by the pitching staff. The Tigers are at a 3.14 ERA, and holding opponents to a .211 batting average. If they keep this up for the whole season, the hitting might not matter all that much. Today they send out a former Cardinals pitcher, Jack Flaherty. His ERA looks rough at almost five, but he has three quality starts in five outings this season. Like Gibson, ten of Flaherty's 16 earned runs allowed came in two games. One concern is that he's allowed a home run in every game this season and has allowed 30 hits over 29.1 innings. He has been able to keep his walks down which is a big benefit for him. Having played on the same team as the Cardinals, most don't have too much experience against him, but the team is 13-for-39 against him. Willson Contreras is 6-for-22 against him. 

I don't see official lineups for the first game of this double-header, but I think that the Cardinals have the better pitcher on the mound for this game. I like Flaherty, but I have found that he isn't consistent enough. He's off to a nice start, as is Gibson. I want to pick the Cardinals here, but I'm probably forcing myself if I play a side. I'll take the obvious play here and play the under 8.5 runs for the game. I don't think either starter will give up more than 2 runs, and both struggle offensively. Back the under in this first game of the doubleheader. 

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