- The MLB postseason includes four rounds, beginning with the Wild Card Series.
- The St. Louis Cardinals will host the Philadelphia Phillies for a three-game series.
- The Wild Card Series is Oct. 7-9, 2022.
- The winner of this series will advance to the NLDS and face the Atlanta Braves.
After an exciting and history-making regular season, the playoffs finally start on Friday, Oct. 7. The new postseason format sees 12 teams advance — three division winners and three Wild Card teams from each league. The top two division winners from each league receive a bye in the first round.
In the NL, the Phillies will take on the Cardinals for a three-game Wild Card Series at Busch Stadium in St. Louis. The winner of this matchup will advance to the NL Division Series to face the Atlanta Braves.
Phillies vs. Cardinals Series Schedule
| GAME | DATE | TIME |
|---|---|---|
| Game 1 | Friday, Oct. 7 | 2:07 p.m. ET |
| Game 2 | Saturday, Oct. 8 | 8:37 p.m. ET |
| Game 3 | Sunday, Oct. 9 | 8:37 p.m. ET |
The Great Stott#RingTheBell pic.twitter.com/8ASnkKw71Y
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) October 4, 2022
Odds to Win NL Wild Card Series (as of Oct. 6):
- Cardinals -135 to win
- Phillies +110 to win
Total Series Games Over/Under (as of Oct. 6):
- Over 2.5 (-110)
- Under 2.5 (-110)
Phillies vs. Cardinals Series Prediction
I predict the Cardinals will win the Wild Card Series against the Phillies in three games.
The Cardinals have made headlines all season for Albert Pujols’ campaign to reach 700 career home runs before he retires at the end of the year. Pujols will also be a big contributor during this series. Ending the regular season with a 93-63 record to win the NL Central, the Cardinals are returning to the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season.
On the other side of the field, the Phillies have had a tumultuous year.
On June 3, the team fired manager Joe Girardi after starting the season with a 22-29 record. It turned out to be a very good decision. With bench coach Rob Thomson leading the charge, the Phillies won 14 of their next 16 games after the firing, finishing the regular season 87-75 to secure the third NL Wild Card spot.
Albert's not done yet! pic.twitter.com/tqwB8p7EDR
— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) October 4, 2022
Philadelphia’s comeback has been spectacular, but I question if the team can hold on in the playoffs.
During the regular season, the Phillies and Cardinals met seven times and the Phillies won five games, including two at Busch Stadium. Despite the Cardinals only winning three of seven games, they did win two of four at home, which is an advantage they’ll have this series.
This is likely to be a competitive matchup, and I predict it will go to three games before a team records two wins. Despite the Phillies having a great year (in the end), I still think the Cardinals will win to advance to the NLDS.
Cardinals Against the Spread (ATS) Record — Regular Season
Against the spread this MLB season, the Cardinals have gone 87-73 against the Run Line (+8.65 Units / 4.33% ROI).
- 92-68 when betting on the Moneyline for +6.15 Units / 2.65% ROI
- 75-80 when betting on the total runs Over for -13.4 Units / -7.59% ROI
- 80-75 when betting on the total runs Under for -2.05 Units / -1.17% ROI
Cardinals Over/Under Record
In the 2022 regular season, the Cardinals hit the over 76 times, the under 80 times, and pushed 6.
Phillies Against the Spread (ATS) Record — Regular Season
Against the spread this MLB season, the Phillies have gone 81-80 against the Run Line (-2.9 Units / -1.47% ROI).
- 87-74 when betting on the Moneyline for -2.1 Units / -0.89% ROI
- 81-74 when betting on the total runs Over for -0.35 Units / -0.2% ROI
- 74-81 when betting on the total runs Under for -14.1 Units / -7.99% ROI
Phillies Over/Under Record
In the 2022 regular season, the Phillies hit the over 82 times, the under 75 times, and pushed 5.
MLB Futures Betting
MLB futures are available at the online sportsbook throughout the year. With updated MLB MVP odds, World Series odds, Cy Young odds, and more, you can place a bet online over the winter, on Opening Day, or during the summer.
