LA Angels (2-1) at St. Louis (3-0)
- When: Mar 31 2025, 7:45 PM
- Where: Busch Stadium, St. Louis
- Where to watch: FDSW
MLB Betting Preview: Angels vs Cardinals – Game 1
Moneyline: St. Louis -153 | Total: 8.0
The St. Louis Cardinals are favored at -153 on the moneyline, with the total set at 8.0 runs, as they prepare to host the Los Angeles Angels in the first game of their series on Monday night. St. Louis is riding the momentum of a dominant opening weekend and will send veteran righty Miles Mikolas to the mound, while the Angels counter with left-hander Tyler Anderson.
St. Louis Cardinals Outlook
The Cardinals come into this matchup fresh off a three-game sweep of the Minnesota Twins, outscoring them 19-6 across the series. The lineup looked sharp, grinding out at-bats and showing the kind of offensive consistency that could be a game-changer this season. If they keep that intensity, they’ll be a tough out for any team—especially at home.
Miles Mikolas will make his season debut amidst some uncertainty surrounding his future. In the final year of his deal, Mikolas could be trade bait if St. Louis doesn’t remain in the playoff picture by midseason. For now, he’s locked in on helping the Cardinals build on their fast start. While durable in recent seasons, Mikolas had a shaky 2023, posting a 5.35 ERA and allowing far too much hard contact. That said, he has been decent against the Angels in limited action with a 3.54 ERA in five career appearances.
If Mikolas can avoid early trouble and the offense maintains its rhythm, St. Louis should have the edge here.
Los Angeles Angels Outlook
The Angels took two of three from the White Sox to begin their season and are leaning heavily on a revamped rotation to keep them competitive. Tyler Anderson gets the ball Monday after a solid spring and will look to build off a serviceable 2023 campaign in which he posted a 3.81 ERA despite a 10-15 record.
Anderson has been tweaking his pitch mix to better handle both sides of the plate, but he’s struggled historically against the Cardinals, sporting a 5.49 ERA in four career outings. If St. Louis keeps putting pressure on opposing pitchers early—as they did against the Twins—Anderson may have a short leash.
On the offensive side, the Angels are hoping center fielder Jo Adell can return from a minor hip issue. If not, rookie Kyren Paris, who already made noise with a clutch homer on Sunday, could get another look.
Prediction & Best Bets
The Cardinals are rolling early and face an Angels team still trying to find its rhythm offensively. Mikolas has something to prove in a contract year, and while he’s not a lockdown ace, he should benefit from run support and an energized home crowd.
Prediction: Cardinals 4, Angels 3
Best Bet: St. Louis -153 ML
Over/Under Lean: Under 8.0 (-105) — Both pitchers are capable of keeping this game modestly scored, and if the bullpens hold up, the under looks attractive.
- MLB Odds source: MYBookie Sportsbook
