The Cardinals enter Thursday's matchup with the edge on the mound, where Michael McGreevy brings a 2.92 ERA into Busch Stadium against Brandon Pfaadt, who owns a 4.58 ERA. DraftKings has St. Louis installed as the home favorite, and the pitching matchup is the biggest reason why.
Arizona's lineup could receive a boost if Corbin Carroll returns after missing time with a hyperextended elbow, but the Diamondbacks are still dealing with multiple injuries across both the lineup and pitching staff. That leaves St. Louis in a favorable spot at home.
D-Backs vs Cardinals Game Preview
Arizona enters at 53-49, while St. Louis sits at 52-49 in a matchup between two National League clubs firmly in the postseason race. The Diamondbacks continue to play without several key contributors, including Lourdes Gurriel Jr., Jordan Lawlar, Tommy Troy, and reliever Drey Jameson, while Zac Gallen remains on the 15-day injured list.
CARDINALS vs. D-BACKS: Official Full Game Highlights (July 19) | 2026 MLB Season
The starting pitching matchup features Brandon Pfaadt against Michael McGreevy. Pfaadt has gone 4-1 with a 4.58 ERA and 44 strikeouts, while McGreevy has posted a 4-7 record despite an impressive 2.92 ERA and 71 strikeouts. McGreevy has consistently limited hard contact, giving St. Louis a clear advantage on the mound entering this game.
Thursday's contest is a makeup game after the June 25 rain postponement. First pitch is expected under mostly clear skies with temperatures around 81 degrees at Busch Stadium, creating favorable conditions without extreme weather influencing the matchup.
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Moneyline Pick
Take the Cardinals moneyline. Michael McGreevy has been one of St. Louis' most reliable starters this season despite his 4-7 record. His 2.92 ERA is significantly lower than Brandon Pfaadt's 4.58 mark, and he has recorded 71 strikeouts compared to Pfaadt's 44. That pitching edge becomes even more important against an Arizona lineup missing several regular contributors.
Arizona may welcome Corbin Carroll back, but the Diamondbacks remain without Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and Jordan Lawlar while their pitching depth has also taken multiple hits. Busch Stadium gives St. Louis home-field advantage, and the Cardinals have fewer roster concerns entering the series opener.
Pick:
Cardinals ML (-131 at DraftKings).
Run Line Pick
Take Cardinals -1.5. Backing the Cardinals on the run line provides plus money while fading an Arizona club missing several everyday contributors. McGreevy has consistently kept opponents off the scoreboard with his 2.92 ERA, and if the Cardinals generate early offense against Pfaadt, they have a strong chance to win by multiple runs.
St. Louis also benefits from playing at Busch Stadium, where the Cardinals have consistently been more comfortable at the plate. Pfaadt has allowed a 4.58 ERA this season, and Arizona's bullpen is also without Drey Jameson while several regular position players remain sidelined. If McGreevy delivers another efficient start, the Cardinals should have a strong chance to create enough separation to cover the standard run line.
Pick:
Cardinals -1.5 (+163 at DraftKings).
Best Player Prop
- Michael McGreevy Over 5.5 Strikeouts (+ odds at DraftKings).
McGreevy enters with 71 strikeouts and has consistently generated swings and misses throughout the season. Arizona's lineup is dealing with several injuries, increasing the opportunity for another solid strikeout performance.
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Game Total Pick
Take Under 8 runs. McGreevy's 2.92 ERA points toward another quality outing, while Busch Stadium generally suppresses home runs compared to many National League parks. Although Pfaadt has a 4.58 ERA, Arizona's offense is not at full strength with Lourdes Gurriel Jr. sidelined and several other contributors unavailable.
The weather forecast calls for mostly clear skies with temperatures around 81 degrees and no major wind concerns expected to boost offense. Unless Pfaadt struggles early, this projects as a game where
pitching controls the pace
more than the bats.
Pick:
Under 8 (-102 at DraftKings).
Best Trades for D-Backs vs Cardinals
Prediction markets see this matchup as one of Thursday's tighter contests, but traders continue to lean toward St. Louis because of the starting pitching advantage. Here are the strongest market positions heading into first pitch.
- Game Winner:
YES on Cardinals at 53¢ on Polymarket. McGreevy's 2.92 ERA and Arizona's lengthy injury report explain why traders continue to price St. Louis as the slight favorite.
- Game Total Under 8.5:
YES at 55¢ on Polymarket. McGreevy has consistently limited scoring opportunities, and both clubs enter with reasons to expect a lower-scoring matchup.
- No Extra Innings:
YES at 93¢ on Polymarket. The market strongly expects this game to finish in nine innings, reflecting the modest separation between the teams but confidence that regulation will decide the outcome.
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How to Watch D-backs vs Cardinals and Game Info
- Location:
Busch Stadium, St. Louis, MO
- Date:
Thursday, July 23, 2026
- First pitch:
5:15 p.m. ET
- TV:
Cardinals.TV Presented by bet365, DBACKS.TV.
- D-backs starting pitcher:
Brandon Pfaadt (4-1, 4.58 ERA).
- Cardinals starting pitcher:
Michael McGreevy (4-7, 2.92 ERA).
- Weather forecast:
81°F, mostly clear skies.
Final Takeaways
The starting pitching matchup is the biggest edge in this game, and it favors St. Louis. Michael McGreevy has been far more effective than Brandon Pfaadt this season, while Arizona continues to manage several key injuries throughout its roster. The Cardinals' moneyline is the strongest play, with the Under 8 also offering value if McGreevy delivers another quality start.
Check the
latest odds and line movement
for D-backs vs Cardinals at betting.net
before placing your bets. All odds as of 5:15 p.m. ET on July 23, 2026. Odds sourced from DraftKings.
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