The Chicago Cubs will be taking on their divisional rival St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium. The action will be nationally broadcasted on ESPN and the game gets underway 8:08 p.m. ET.
Chicago Cubs at St. Louis Cardinals Odds
Vegas is listing Chicago (+100) as the underdog to St. Louis (-110). Gamblers can bet on the games total with odds posted at even money (+100) for over 8.5 runs and -120 for under 8.5. Gamblers can also bet on the games runline with the current odds sitting at Cubs +1.5 runs (-210) and Cardinals +-1.5 runs (+175).
The Cubs are 16-14 SU and have gone 13-16 against the spread (ATS). They’ve lost 4.1 units for bettors taking the moneyline in the seasons early going and 2.1 units ATS. Chicago has covered the spread just twice over its last seven games and the total has gone under in six of those seven. The Cardinals, on the other hand, are 19-12 SU and 15-15 ATS. The team has gained 3.0 units for moneyline bettors while gaining 1.5 units ATS. St. Louis has covered the spread only twice over its last seven games and the under has cashed in four of those seven.
Cardinals games have an over/under record of 13-15-2 so far in 2018. Chicago has an over/under record of 12-17.
Jon Lester is getting the start for the visiting Cubs. The left-handed Lester is 2-1 with a 2.73 ERA and 27 strikeouts. He’s 1-0 with seven strikeouts and a 0.00 ERA against St. Louis this year (five starts).
The Cardinals will turn to righty Michael Wacha (4-1, 3.62 ERA) to the mound. Wacha has 26 strikeouts and 15 walks to his name, as well as a 1.39 WHIP. Wacha hasn’t faced the Cubs yet this year, but he made four starts against them in 2017, putting together a 0-3 record with a 7.77 ERA.
Chicago’s pitching staff allowed 4.1 runs per game and its starters own a 3.98 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 8.39 K/9. The bullpen has managed an excellent ERA of just 2.78, along with a K-per-9 of 8.84.
The Cubs offense has slashed .246/.323/.405 on its way to 4.8 runs scored per game in 2018, including 4.2 runs per game against divisional foes and 2.8 per game over the teams last five contests (1-4 SU).
Chicago’s hitters have been powered by second baseman Javier Baez and third baseman Kris Bryant, who’ve collectively blasted 11 home runs. Baez is slashing .283/.331/.628 with eight home runs, 28 RBIs and 22 runs scored, while Bryant is hitting .278 with three homers, 12 RBIs and 14 runs scored.
For the home team, St. Louis pitching staff has given up 3.6 runs per game overall in 2018. The clubs starters have an ERA of 3.23, a WHIP of 1.23 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 7.9. The bullpen has a 3.57 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 8.4 K/9. In 20 games against divisional opponents, Cardinals starters have an ERA of 2.99 and the bullpens ERA is 4.06.
The St. Louis hitters are putting up 4.6 runs per contest, including 5.0 per game against divisional foes and 3.4 per game over their last five. The team has a slash-line of .203/.302/.358 over its last five games and is 4-1 SU during that span.
The Cardinals batters have been led by right fielder Tommy Pham and first baseman Jose Martinez. Pham is slashing .327/.445/.541 with five home runs, 14 RBIs, 24 runs and seven stolen bases, and Martinez’s line is .298/.367/.456 with three homers, 18 RBIs and 11 runs.
Compared to his overall season slash line of .306/.411/.520, Pham did not perform very well at home in 2017, slashing .265/.388/.410 over 245 plate appearances.
The Cubs have lost 1.7 units and are 10-10 ATS when facing a righty starter this season. The over has hit in nine of those games, compared to 11 that’ve gone under against right-handed starting pitchers. On the other hand, the Cardinals have netted 2.6 units and are 6-3 ATS when facing a left-handed starting pitcher. The over has hit in four of those games, as opposed to five which went under the total.
Chicago Cubs vs. St. Louis Cardinals Free Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Cardinals, ATS Winner – Cubs, O/U – OVER
Betting Notes
- Chicago fielders have committed six errors over their last five games, compared to two errors for St. Louis over its last five.
- The Cubs have hit six home runs in their last 10 games, including five over their last five.
