St. Louis Cardinals Favorite After 3+ Game Losing Streak Betting Trend

The Cardinals' disastrous performance as favorites following extended losing streaks reveals a franchise caught between expectations and reality during moments of vulnerability. St. Louis has historically carried the burden of being a "winning organization" with championship pedigree, creating inflated public perception and betting lines that don't reflect their actual state when struggling. When the Cardinals enter a game as favorites after dropping three or more consecutive contests, the market overvalues their ability to bounce back simply based on organizational reputation rather than current form. This phenomenon intensifies because Cardinals management often sticks with struggling lineups and strategies longer than they should, believing their veteran leadership and "Cardinal Way" culture will naturally correct course. The psychological weight of expectation actually works against them in these spots, as players press to end the skid rather than executing their normal approach. Meanwhile, opposing teams smell blood in the water and play with extra intensity against a wounded favorite. The actionable insight here is clear: fade the Cardinals as favorites immediately after any three-game losing streak, particularly in divisional matchups where opponents have additional motivation to kick them while they're down. This trend carries the most weight during mid-season stretches when playoff positioning becomes crucial and the pressure to perform reaches its peak.