Caesar’s. Merrill Kelly has cleared this line in 12 of his last 18 starts. He should have a solid opportunity to pitch deep into today’s game against the Cardinals have come out stagnant after the break. Overall, St. Louis will be playing into Kelly’s better split by starting six righty bats (.566 OPS allowed). And just as pertinently, the Cards are starting seven hitters who see below average pitches per plate appearance.

The Diamondbacks have won three games in a row, pulling within one game of .500 at 49-50, and they're making a case for being buyers rather than sellers at the trade deadline. This is a team that was eliminated on the last weekend of the season last year and went to the World Series in 2023. They’ve got an offense that scores 5.1 runs a game and have shown that element in the first two games after the All-Star Game with blowouts of the Cardinals. They buried Sonny Gray yesterday, the ace of the Cardinals, and I think Miles Mikolas is next. The Cardinals have gone over the total in their last seven games. Arizona to win.

Just in case the D-backs are in the early stages of a steep ascent after two impressive wins out of the All-Star break, we'll gladly take our chances and hop on board for the ride right now. Meanwhile, on the verge of being swept in the desert, the Cards can officially be said to be slumping, losing 10 of 14 and outscored 17-4 across the first two games in Chase Field set. St Louis starter Miles Mikolas also doesn't appear likely to stop the bleeding, with a 5.58 road ERA this season. As for Arizona's Merrill Kelly, he's allowed just two runs and five hits across 12 IP (1.50 ERA) in his last two starts. Play D-backs on Run Line