The Chicago Cubs get set to host the St. Louis Cardinals for a three-game set at Wrigley Field. It’s time to continue our MLB odds series and make a Cardinals-Cubs prediction and pick.
The Cubs will look to build on their success against the Cardinals this season as they're already 5-1 in the season series. Both teams have been really struggling of late as the Cubs have lost 12 of their last 13 and the Cardinals have lost 13 of their last 17 games on the road. They are now tied in the NL Central standings and 9.5 games back of the Milwaukee Brewers.
Here’s how sportsbooks have set the opening Cardinals-Cubs odds.
MLB Odds: Cardinals-Cubs Odds
St. Louis +1.5 (-148)
Chicago Cubs -1.5 (+128)
Over 8.5 Runs (-105)
Under 8.5 Runs (-115)
Why The Cardinals Could Cover The Spread
The St. Louis Cardinals have had a very disappointing season as they're 43-45 and 9.5 games back in the division. They have to be thrilled that this is their last series of a grueling 10-game road trip, which hasn't been friendly to them. St. Louis has been making strides of late, but they are still just 4-13 over their last 17 games on the road. They are 20-27 on the road this season.
The Cardinals are fairly healthy, which means that their key guys aren't living up to their standards. It's up to guys like Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado to anchor this lineup and although Goldschmidt has improved over the last few weeks, they simply aren't getting the job done. St. Louis is averaging just 3.94 runs per game, which is the third-worst mark in the Majors. Their -0.77 average road differential isn't going to win them a whole lot of ballgames.
St. Louis will turn to left-hander Wade LeBlanc for the series opener. LeBlanc has been serviceable with a 0-1 record and 4.24 ERA through 12 appearances. Despite the mediocre numbers, the Cardinals southpaw was phenomenal in his last outing. LeBlanc tossed 5.2 scoreless innings against the Rockies in his last start. He has allowed just one earned run over his last 10 innings of work.
Why The Cubs Could Cover The Spread
Just when you thought that the Cubs might be turning a corner, they have taken a huge tumble over the past few weeks. Chicago snapped their 11-game losing streak on Wednesday and are now 1-12 over their last 13 games to date. They dropped to 43-45 on the season, but have been much better at Wrigley Field with a 27-16 home record. The Cubs will need to turn a corner in this series as they're 4-1 in their last five home games against the Cardinals.
Chicago has been one of the most injured teams over the past few weeks with guys like Kris Bryant and Javier Baez dealing with nagging injuries. They're averaging 4.18 runs per game, which ranks 19th in the Majors this season. The Cubs have been horrible recently as they've been outscored by 23 runs over their last three losses. Being home is a pleasant sight for Chicago as their +0.67 average differential at home provides some hope heading into this series.
Chicago will turn to right-hander Kyle Hendricks for the series opener. Hendricks has been great for the Cubs with a 10-4 record and 3.83 ERA through 17 starts. His strikeout numbers have been low, but the savvy right-hander has been extremely effective. He is 5-0 with a 2.76 ERA over his last seven starts and tossed six innings of one-run ball in host most recent outing against the Reds.
Final Cardinals-Cubs Prediction & Pick
In a game that features two struggling teams, we have to pick the one with a better chance to win a ballgame. In this game, that will be the Chicago Cubs. Despite their horrible stretch over the past few weeks, the Cubs have still been a solid team at home this season. They have their ace on the mound in Kyle Hendricks, who has allowed two runs or fewer in four of his last five starts. Chicago has won five of their last six meetings against St. Louis, including a home-sweep over the division rivals last month.
FINAL Cardinals-Cubs PREDICTION AND PICK: Chicago Cubs ML (-155)
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