Prop Bets: Oakland Athletics VS St. Louis Cardinals 2025-09-03
Cardinals vs. Athletics: A Tale of Two Time Zones (and One Disappointed Pitcher)
The St. Louis Cardinals (-111 ML, -1.5 run dog at +162) host the Oakland Athletics in a matchup that’s less “Game of the Year” and more “Let’s Hope the Lights Stay On.” Here’s the breakdown:
The Pitcher’s Worst Nightmare
Matthew Liberatore (6-11, 4.32 ERA) toes the rubber for the Cards, fresh off a season where he’s struck out 102 batters but also… well, that’s it. Opposite him, Jeffrey Springs (10-9) brings a better record but a 4.82 ERA to Busch Stadium, where the A’s pitching staff has allowed a league-worst 4.82 runs per game. Prop Pick: Bet Liberatore’s strikeout total. Over 4.5 Ks (+124) makes sense—he’s averaging 8.6 Ks per start. Under 4.5? Only if you’ve never seen a Cardinals lineup.
Offense: The A’s Bring the Bat, the Cards Bring the Batting Cage
The Athletics lead the league in runs (4.6 RPG) and homers (190), while the Cards lag with 4.4 RPG and a paltry 133 bombs. But here’s the twist: Oakland’s pitchers are terrible. Over 8.5 total runs (-105 implied) is a no-brainer. Both teams love to swing for the fences, and with the A’s hitting .254 (4th) vs. the Cards’ .247 (16th), expect a fireworks show.
Player Props: Because Why Not?
- Ivan Herrera, HR Over 0.5 (+460): The Cards’ 20-HR slugger is a long shot to go deep, but at +460, it’s a “why not?” gamble’s choice.
- Brent Rooker, Hits Over 1.5 (-270): The A’s outfielder is a -270 favorite to eclipse 1.5 hits. That’s 81% implied odds—please don’t let us down, Brent.
- Zack Gelof, Stolen Bases Over 0.5 (4500): The A’s rookie is a 4500/1 long shot to swipe a base. Bet just for the bragging rights.
Final Verdict
The Cardinals’ moneyline (-111) implies a 52.6% win chance, but their 32-31 record when favored says otherwise. The Athletics (+162) are a chaotic, run-happy underdog play. Pick: Over 8.5 runs. Because nothing says “September baseball” like a 9-8 slugfest and a pitcher who’s begging for a mercy rule.
Go forth and bet boldly—or as boldly as your bank account allows. 🎲⚾
Created: Sept. 3, 2025, 7:20 a.m. GMT