Tampa Bay Rays vs St. Louis Cardinals Betting Pick & Prediction for March 29, 2026

MLB game preview

The Tampa Bay Rays visit the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium for an afternoon game on Sunday, March 29, 2026. The Rays have started the season with two losses, sitting last in the AL East. Their manager, Kevin Cash, will look to turn things around.

The Cardinals, led by Oliver Marmol, have won their first two games. They are in second place in the NL Central. The game will have overcast clouds and a light breeze, making it a cool day for baseball.

Tampa Bay Rays Team Preview

The Tampa Bay Rays have had a mixed start to their season. They are coming off a loss to the St. Louis Cardinals, where they were defeated 6-5. Despite the loss, Joe Boyle delivered a solid performance on the mound, going six innings and giving up just two earned runs.

The Rays’ lineup has shown potential, with Jonathan Aranda and Junior Caminero both hitting well. Aranda has been a key player with a .429 average and a home run. Yandy Díaz has also contributed with a .400 average, making the top of the lineup a threat to opposing pitchers.

On the pitching front, Steven Matz is set to make his first start of the season. Last year, he had a strong showing with a 5-2 record and a 3.05 ERA. The Rays will look to Matz to provide a steady presence on the mound as they face the Cardinals again.

Rays vs Cardinals Game Day Info

  • Sport: MLB
  • Teams: Tampa Bay Rays vs. St. Louis Cardinals
  • Venue: Busch Stadium in St. Louis, MO
  • Date: Sunday, March 29, 2026
  • Betting Odds: Rays Moneyline -117, Cardinals Moneyline -103

St. Louis Cardinals Team Preview

The St. Louis Cardinals have shown strong recent performances. They secured a 6-5 win over the Tampa Bay Rays, with Michael McGreevy pitching six innings without allowing a hit. JJ Wetherholt and Alec Burleson contributed with two RBIs each.

In another game against the Rays, the Cardinals earned a 9-7 win. They recorded 14 hits, including two home runs. Alec Burleson shined with three hits and a home run.

The Cardinals had a 3-2 victory against the Houston Astros. Michael McGreevy pitched five innings, allowing one earned run. Jordan Walker hit a home run and drove in one run during this game.

BTB Betting Pick

The Rays are slightly favored with a moneyline of -117 against the Cardinals at -103. With the Rays showing a higher batting average and on-base percentage in the regular season, they have a slight edge. The projected score is Rays 5, Cardinals 4. Based on these factors, picking the Rays to win straight up is reasonable.

The total for this game is set at 8.0, with the over at -105 and the under at -115. Both teams have shown the ability to score, and their pitching stats indicate potential for runs. The projected total score is 9. Given this, the recommendation is to take the over.