Cardinals (Flaherty) vs Braves (Foltynewicz) NLDS Game 5 Is a Pick ‘Em – Prediction & Odds

• St. Louis Cardinals visit the Atlanta Braves in NLDS Game 5 on Wednesday (Oct. 9)
• Both teams will have their best starting pitchers on the mound, resulting in a -110 moneyline each way
• Get the latest odds and predictions for the series finale

The St. Louis Cardinals will be aiming to extend their winning streak in NLDS Game 5 matchups to four games when they travel to Atlanta on Wednesday (Oct. 9th) for the winner-take-all tilt.

NL Cy Young contender Jack Flaherty (2.75 ERA, 0.97 WHIP) takes the mound for the Cardinals, while the Braves will turn to Mike Foltynewicz (4.54 ERA, 1.25 WHIP), who has a sterling 2.65 ERA since the All-Star break and pitched seven shutout innings in Game 2.

The elite pitching matchup has led to the Cardinals vs Braves Game 5 odds being a pick’em.

Cardinals vs Braves Game 5 Odds

Odds as of October 8th, 2019.

Cards Avoid Elimination in Game 4

Facing elimination, the Cardinals came up big in Game 4 on Monday afternoon, getting to Braves veteran starter Dallas Keuchel with first-inning home runs from Paul Goldschmidt and Marcell Ozuna, who also opened the fourth inning with his second home run of the game. The fast start was crucial, ending a stretch of 18 scoreless innings in which they tallied just 10 total hits.

Marcell Ozuna on having a two-homer day in Game 4 of the NLDS, his first career postseason series: "It's the kind of moment that I've been waiting for a long time." #TimeToFly
Cardinals Live postgame is coming up on FSMW and FSGO after Blues Live postgame: https://t.co/hr3WK6n5Yq pic.twitter.com/NU0WEO2YyF

— Bally Sports Midwest (@BallySportsMW) October 8, 2019

The Cardinals would cough-up the lead in the fifth and trailed 4-3 after eight, but rallied to win it 5-4 in ten innings.

Now the Cardinals head to Atlanta’s SunTrust Park for Game 5 with history on their side.

St. Louis Dominates in Sudden-Death Playoff Games

St. Louis has dominated in sudden-death postseason matchups, going 7-1 in their past eight, including three straight NLDS Game 5 victories, two of which have come on the road.

Ozuna and Goldschmidt have 15 of the 33 St. Louis hits so far. They've been awesome.

Ozuna/Goldy: .455 BA / 1.030 SLG / .614 wOBA
Everyone else: .179 BA / .221 SLG / .194 wOBA pic.twitter.com/lHy2THNj2d

— Mike Petriello (@mike_petriello) October 8, 2019

Their results at SunTrust Park so far have been mixed. Late-game heroics spurred a 7-6 comeback victory in Game 1 before falling flat in a 3-0 loss in Game 2.

Production from the top of the Cardinals’ batting order has been non-existent since Game 1, with Dexter Fowler, Kolten Wong, and Tommy Edman combining to go 1-for-26 while hitting lead-off and second.

Production from the top of the Cardinals’ batting order has been non-existent since Game 1, with Dexter Fowler, Kolten Wong, and Tommy Edman combining to go 1-for-26 while hitting lead-off and second.

Indeed, were it not for steady production from Goldschmidt and Ozuna, this series might already be over. The duo have combined to produce 15 of the Cardinals’ 33 hits in the series, and along with Edman, they are the only St. Louis hitters hitting better than .200.

Spotty Offense a Major Concern for Flaherty

That’s bad news for Flaherty, who is expected to return to the hill for St. Louis on Wednesday. Flaherty allowed just seven total earned runs over his final 13 starts of the regular season, and turned in a steady performance in Game 2, limiting the Braves to just three runs in 7.0 innings work.

Truth. Run support is needed. Yesterday was the 13th Jack Flaherty start in which the Cardinals have scored two runs or less. #STLCards #TimeToFly https://t.co/bJPZbX9SXA

— M■Squared (@MartinMott) October 5, 2019

However, run support has been non-existent when Flaherty has been on the mound, with the club scoring a meager 2.1 runs per game over his last ten starts.

Braves Look to End Postseason Losing Streak

The Braves failed to capitalize on their first opportunity to claim a postseason series win in 15 years. Atlanta has fallen to defeat in each of its last seven NLDS appearances, including a loss in five games to San Francisco in 2002, the last time they held a 2-1 series lead.

Atlanta has also won just four of nine at home since September 8. However, Foltynewicz has not been affected by the club’s recent home slump. The 28-year-old right-hander will be looking for his seventh win in as many home starts.

Foltynewicz Poised to Extend Home Win Streak

Foltynewicz slammed the door on the Cardinals in Atlanta’s 3-0 win in Game 2, limiting them to just three hits over 7.0 innings in a second straight shutout performance against St. Louis this season.

"That was probably the best start of his career."

— Freddie Freeman (with professional scene-stealer Charlie) breaks down Mike Foltynewicz's start and Adam Duvall's blast in @Braves' Game 2 win. #Braves | #RELENTLESS pic.twitter.com/fNB0gjELwU

— Bally Sports: Braves (@BravesOnBally) October 5, 2019

With Flaherty and Foltynewicz facing off for the second time in this series, the stage is set for another classic pitchers duel, and a low-scoring affair in Game 5.

With the Cards and Braves combining to use 15 hurlers for the second time in the series in Monday’s contest, the edge will likely go to whichever team can get to their opponent’s bullpen first.

Picks: Atlanta Braves to win Game 5 (-110); 5 Inning Total: under 4.0 (-115)