To the shock of no one, the Dodgers (20-12) sit atop the National League West. In a more surprising development, the Cardinals (19-13) are looking like a potential postseason contender. Last night, it was St. Louis that earned a decisive 7-2 victory over Los Angeles. Which of these two historic franchises has the edge on Saturday?

The Dodgers are favorites (-136) over the Cardinals, with the over/under set at nine runs. Below, I’ve laid out my preview, prediction, and best bet for Saturday’s showdown between Los Angeles and St. Louis on DraftKings Sportsbook.

Dodgers vs. Cardinals prediction, preview

On most nights, the Dodgers will send a high-end arm out to the mound. Talent-wise, Roki Sasaki fits the bill. However, the highly-touted Japanese hurler has yet to live up to his potential. Despite consistently throwing in the high-90s, the right-hander has struggled mightily as a pro. Through 22.2 innings this season, he’s on the hook for a 6.35 ERA, 1.80 WHIP and 22 strikeouts. It’s not as if Sasaki has been the victim of bad luck either; his 7.20 FIP doesn’t inspire much confidence.

Part of Sasaki’s struggles stem from his inability to keep the ball inside the park. The 24-year-old has recorded a whopping 2.8 HR/9 ratio. That doesn’t bode well going into any matchup, let alone Saturday’s date in St. Louis. The Cardinals are mashing to start the season, tied for fourth-most in the majors. Five different Redbirds have clubbed at least five dingers, including Jordan Walker. The former top prospect is finally putting it all together, recording an impressive .308/.373/.583 slash line along with nine homers and 25 RBIs. Fellow youngster JJ Wetherholt is swinging it as of late, batting .323 with four homers over his last seven games.

If Sasaki is a fireballer that struggles with command, Michael McGreevy is the exact opposite. St. Louis’ starter doesn’t dial it back much, topping out around 91 MPH with his fastball. However, he’s one of baseball’s best in terms of command. The 25-year-old ranks fourth among qualified pitchers with a 1.5 BB/9 ratio. Through 33.1 innings this season, the righty has delivered a 2.97 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 21 strikeouts. A seven-pitch mix allows the soft-tosser to throw the kitchen sink at opposing lineups.

Plate discipline has been a staple for this Los Angeles offense. The two-time defending champs ranked second in the league last season with 3.62 walks per game. A pitcher that doesn’t make many mistakes could pose a unique challenge. Two of McGreevy’s favorite off-speed selections are the changeup (23%) and curve (12%). Against that pair of pitches, the Dodgers have a .300 on-base percentage. While not terrible, it’s beneath LA’s lofty standards. The continued absence of Mookie Betts (oblique) can’t be ignored either.

Dodgers vs. Cardinals pick, best bet

Fading the Dodgers is usually asking for trouble. However, it feels like the logo on the jersey is doing plenty of lifting at -136 on the moneyline. McGreevy has been far more effective this season than Sasaki, who looks lost on the mound. This homer-happy Cardinals club offers plenty of value tonight at plus money.

Best Bet: Cardinals ML (+113)