The Chicago Cubs are playing host to their NL Central foe St. Louis Cardinals at Wrigley Field. NBC Sports Chicago is in line to televise the action and the game is scheduled to get going at 3:20 p.m. ET.
St. Louis Cardinals at Chicago Cubs Odds
The Cubs are 94-67 straight up (SU) and 79-81 against the spread (ATS). The team has gained 3.5 units for bettors taking the moneyline while earning 1.4 units (ATS). The Cardinals have gone 88-73 SU this year and are 83-77 ATS. Overall, the team’s gained 2.1 units for moneyline gamblers and 5.0 units ATS.
Chicago games have an over/under record of 71-86-3 in 2018. The Cardinals have an over/under record of 78-76-6.
Right-hander Jack Flaherty is getting the start for the visiting Cardinals. Flaherty is 8-8 with a 3.16 ERA and 179 strikeouts. He’s 1-0 with 16 strikeouts and a 0.90 ERA against Chicago this year (two starts).
The Cubs are sending lefty Mike Montgomery (5-6, 3.99 ERA) to the mound. Montgomery has 85 strikeouts and 39 walks to his name, as well as a WHIP of 1.36. Montgomery is 0-1 with eight strikeouts and a 3.60 ERA over two starts against St. Louis this year.
Chicago’s pitchers have allowed 4.0 runs per game overall in 2018 as a unit. Its starters have an ERA of 3.85, a WHIP of 1.33 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 7.8. The bullpen has a 3.33 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 8.6 K/9. In 75 games against NL Central opponents, Cubs starters have an ERA of 3.32 and the bullpen’s ERA is 3.69.
The Chicago hitters have put up 4.7 runs per contest, including 4.1 per game against divisional foes and 3.8 per game over their last five. The team has hit .247/.311/.333 over its last five games and is 3-2 SU during that span.
The Cubs’ batters have been led by second baseman Javier Baez and first baseman Anthony Rizzo. Baez is slashing .289/.324/.555 with 34 home runs, 111 RBIs, 98 runs and 21 stolen bases, and Rizzo is hitting .278 with 24 homers, 99 RBIs and 70 runs.
In the visiting dugout, St. Louis’ pitching staff allowed 4.2 runs per game and its starters own a 3.49 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 8.24 K/9. The bullpen has managed an ERA of 4.35, along with a K/9 of 8.30.
Cardinals hitters have slashed .249/.323/.409 on their way to 4.7 runs scored per game this season, including 4.6 runs per game against divisional foes and 3.0 per game over the team’s last five contests (1-4 SU).
Left fielder Marcell Ozuna and first baseman Jose Martinez have led St. Louis’ hitters. Ozuna is slashing .280/.325/.433 with 23 home runs, 88 RBIs and 69 runs scored, while Martinez (.303/.361/.456) has produced 17 homers, 83 RBIs and 63 runs scored.
St. Louis Cardinals at Chicago Cubs Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Cubs, ATS Winner – Cardinals, O/U – OVER
Betting Trends
- St. Louis has recorded 10 extra-base hits over its last five outings. Chicago has nine XBH over its last five.
- The Cardinals have hit eight home runs in their last 10 games. The Cubs have hit six over their last 10.
- The St. Louis defense has allowed 17 errors over the last 10 games, compared to 10 errors for Chicago over its last 10.
