Brewers vs. Cardinals (May 27): Hudson to outduel former teammate in NL Central rivalry showdown

Two former Mississippi State teammates will go head-to-head tonight in St. Louis as Brandon Woodruff and the Milwaukee Brewers take on Dakota Hudson and the Cardinals.

In yesterday’s series opener at Busch Stadium, the Brewers eked out a 4-3 win. Tonight, Hudson will look to draw the Cardinals level in this NL Central rivalry series against Woodruff.

Woodruff played at Mississippi State from 2012-14 before being drafted in the 11th round of the 2013 MLB Draft by the Brewers, while Hudson starred in Starkville from 2014-16 before being picked 34th overall by the Cardinals in the 2016 MLB Draft.

Which former Diamond Dawg will bring their team a win tonight in St. Louis?

Milwaukee Brewers vs. St. Louis Cardinals Betting Odds and Matchup Information

Matchup Information

• Matchup: Milwaukee Brewers (29-16, 15-10 road, 1st in the NL Central) vs. St. Louis Cardinals (24-20, 11-10 home, 2nd in the NL Central)
• Busch Stadium (St. Louis, Missouri)
• Date: Friday, May 27, 2022
• Time: 8:15 p.m. Eastern Time (7:15 p.m. local time)
• How to Watch Today’s Brewers vs. Cardinals Game: Bally Sports Wisconsin (Brewers), Bally Sports Midwest (Cardinals), MLB Extra Innings (subscription package)

Brewers vs. Cardinals Pitching Matchup

• Milwaukee Brewers: Brandon Woodruff (2022: 8 starts, 5-2, 4.78 ERA)
• St. Louis Cardinals: Dakota Hudson (2022: 8 starts, 3-2, 3.60 ERA)

Brewers vs. Cardinals Odds

Odds are via BetOnline. Odds from our other top reviewed and recommended online sportsbooks may also be included in this article.

Moneyline

• Milwaukee Brewers -144
• St. Louis Cardinals +122

Over/Under

• OVER 7 (-122)
• UNDER 7 (+100)

Run Line

• Milwaukee Brewers -1.5 (+118)
• St. Louis Cardinals +1.5 (-142)

Early Form Favors Hudson, Cardinals at Home

Hudson didn’t have his best time against the Mets in his most recent start eight days ago, as he allowed four runs, five hits, and two walks in 4.2 innings.

But he has been strong at home early on this season, going 2-0 with a 1.80 ERA in three home starts. On the flip side, he is 1-2 with a 4.68 ERA in five road starts.

Woodruff has also been much, much better at home than on the road, which does not bode well for tonight’s matchup in St. Louis.

In Milwaukee, Woodruff is 4-0 with a 1.59 ERA in four starts. But in his four road starts, the two-time All-Star is 1-2 with a 9.00 ERA. In 17 innings, he has allowed 26 hits, nine walks, and 20 runs (17 earned). Opponents are hitting .342 against him on the road and only .169 against him in Milwaukee.

For Brewers backers, it is encouraging that Woodruff’s most recent road start was his best road start of the season. Against the Miami Marlins twelve days ago, he allowed three runs (one earned), five hits, and two walks in five innings, and he picked up his first road win of the season as the Brewers beat the Marlins 7-3.

Woodruff has had at least six strikeouts in his last six starts, and he has gone no more than six innings in any of those starts. So, there is great value in backing him to go over 5.5 strikeouts, which you can snag for -134 at BetOnline.

Milwaukee Brewers vs. St. Louis Cardinals Prediction and Best Bets

Brewers vs. Cardinals Prediction: Cardinals to win

Brewers vs. Cardinals Best Bets: Cardinals ML (+125 at Bovada Sportsbook & BetUS) & Cardinals team total over 3 runs (-115 at BetOnline)

It is a positive sign going forward for Woodruff that he had his best road start of the season in his last road outing. But form favors the home team to win this matchup between former Mississippi State hurlers.

The Cardinals have scored three or more runs in all but one of Hudson’s starts thus far this season and have tallied three or more runs in 21 of his 26 career starts at Busch Stadium. And when he gets three or more runs of support, he has a 22-2 record in 37 starts.

Look for that stellar statistic to get another notch in the win column tonight as the Cardinals take tonight’s tilt at home.