MLB matchup analysis
Diamondbacks vs Cardinals Prediction, Odds and Model Pick
Thursday, July 23, 2026 at Busch Stadium · 5:15 PM ET
LyDia decision: Pass on Diamondbacks vs Cardinals
The case for Arizona Diamondbacks
Why it is not official
Read the full model output
Starting pitcher edge conflicts with the model side.
Final result
The pregame analysis remains on this URL. Postgame information is added without rewriting the original decision.
Game information
| Matchup | Arizona Diamondbacks at St. Louis Cardinals |
|---|---|
| Date | Thursday, July 23, 2026 |
| First pitch | 5:15 PM ET |
| Venue | Busch Stadium |
| Starting pitchers | Brandon Pfaadt vs Michael McGreevy |
| Weather | Game-time forecast: 82°F, 1% precipitation chance, 4 mph wind from N. |
Starting pitcher matchup
Full Pitcher Matchup Tool →| Metric | Diamondbacks | Cardinals |
|---|---|---|
| Pitching plan | Traditional starter | Traditional starter |
| Expected innings | 5.4 | 5.7 |
| Throws | R | R |
| LyDia pitcher score (higher is better) | 57 | 76 |
| BB/9 (lower is better) | 2.7 | 2.0 |
| HR/9 (lower is better) | 1.2 | 1.2 |
| Ground-ball rate | 55.8% | 53.2% |
| IP per start (higher is better) | 5.4 | 5.7 |
Pitcher edge: St. Louis Cardinals by 19 points.
How to read this: the scorecards show ERA, WHIP, K/9, and K-BB%. The table adds complementary traits without repeating them. Highlighted cells mark a gap big enough to matter. HR/9 is home runs allowed per nine innings. Ground-ball rate is neither good nor bad on its own: high ground-ball pitchers trade strikeouts for double plays and fewer home runs.
Strikeout projections Full K board →
Projections are self-calibrated against graded results (59 graded starts). Leans are context, not official picks.
Same data source as the Pitcher Matchup Tool, where every starter on the slate is compared side by side.
Recent form
Full Stats page →| Metric | Diamondbacks | Cardinals |
|---|---|---|
| Record | 53-49 | 52-49 |
| Last 10 | 8-2 | 4-6 |
| Run differential / game (team quality) | Not available | -0.04 |
| Runs scored / game (offense) | Not available | 4.45 |
| Runs allowed / game (defense, lower better) | Not available | 4.49 |
| OPS, last 15 days | 0.819 | 0.570 |
| Season OPS | 0.704 | 0.700 |
| OPS change | +0.115 | -0.130 |
| Runs per game, last 15 days | 6.4 | 3.4 |
| K% season (lower is better) | 19.5% | 20.4% |
| K% last 15 days | 19.8% | 21.6% |
| OPS vs opposing hand | 0.677 | 0.696 |
Run differential and run environment come from the season standings; offense splits for all 30 teams live on the Stats page, including hot and cold streaks and the run environment table.
The Map
Full interactive map →Every team on today's slate, on any two axes you pick. Diamondbacks and Cardinals are highlighted.
Bullpen matchup
Full Bullpen Fatigue Index →Risk is what the model actually uses: fatigue blended with how well the pen has pitched. High fatigue with high efficiency is a tired pen that is still getting outs.
| Metric | Diamondbacks | Cardinals |
|---|---|---|
| Fatigue | 7.4/10, Tired | 5.5/10, Normal |
| Efficiency | 3.6/10, Below average | 6.1/10, Effective |
| Combined risk | 8.1/10, Tired | 5.0/10, Normal |
| Relief innings, last 3 days | 13.3 | 8.0 |
| Back-to-back arms | 2 | 3 |
| 3-day ERA | 6.08 | 2.25 |
| 3-day WHIP | 1.50 | 1.38 |
Fatigue measures workload. Efficiency measures recent run prevention. Combined risk is what the moneyline and totals systems use.
Run total projection
Full Totals Projections →The model projects 2.0 runs above the market total. A research lean still requires a setup rating of at least 7.0/10. Totals are research context only; official totals are currently disabled.
More games today
All matchups →What could change the prediction
- A listed starting pitcher is scratched or replaced.
- The moneyline moves enough to remove the current model edge.
- A confirmed lineup materially changes the offensive matchup.
- Late bullpen availability differs from the recent workload data.
- Weather or roof conditions change before first pitch.
Every LyDia pick, graded in public
Free daily model card by email, or open today's full slate. Membership adds delivery before first pitch.
Model outputs are not guarantees. LyDia provides analysis and education only. Every official pick remains visible on the Results page. 21+. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER.