Rays vs. Cardinals odds, line, prediction: 2026 MLB picks for Saturday afternoon from proven model

The Tampa Bay Rays meet the St. Louis Cardinals in the second of their three-game season-opening interleague series on Saturday. St. Louis defeated Tampa Bay 9-7 on Thursday afternoon. The Rays (0-1), who finished fourth in the American League East in 2025 at 77-85, were 36-45 on the road last season. The Cardinals (1-0), who finished fourth in the National League Central at 78-84, were 44-37 on their home field.

First pitch from Busch Stadium in St. Louis is set for 2:15 p.m. ET. The Rays lead the all-time series 15-14, and have won three of the last five meetings. St. Louis is a -112 favorite on the money line (risk $112 to win $100) in the latest Rays vs. Cardinals odds from DraftKings Sportsbook, while the total number of runs Vegas thinks will be scored, or the over-under, is 7.5. 

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