The St. Louis Cardinals will try and bounce back as they take on the Chicago Cubs for a Friday matinee at Wrigley Field. It's time to continue our MLB odds coverage with a Cardinals-Cubs prediction and pick.
The Cubs defeated the Cardinals 7-5 on Thursday night. The Cubbies started things off when Wilson Contreras whacked a two-run home run in the first inning. It was his ninth home run in 2022 and gave Chicago the 2-0 lead early. Later, the Cardinals trailed 2-1 in the top of the third inning when Nolan Arenado clipped an RBI single that tied it up. Chicago fired back in their half of the third inning when Frank Schwindel clobbered a solo shot to left field to put the Cubs back in the lead. Then, Ian Happ added to the tally by crushing a home run to deep left-center field to make it 4-2.
The Cards trailed the Cubs 7-3 with one out, one on, and Harrison Bader slugged a two-run shot to dee0 left-center to cut the deficit to 7-5. Ultimately, the Cubs retired the final two batters to secure the win. The Cardinals are 29-22 and in second place in the NL Central, while the Cubs are 22-29 and in fourth place.
Courtesy of FanDuel, here are the Cardinals-Cubs MLB odds:
MLB Odds: Cardinals-Cubs Odds
Cardinals: -1.5 (+164)
Cubs: +1.5 (-200)
Over: 8 (-120)
Under: 8 (-102)
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Why The Cardinals Could Cover The Spread
The Cardinals will have Miles Mikolas on the mound. Mikolas is 3-3 with a 2.67 ERA in 2022. However, he struggled in his last start against the Milwaukee Brewers, allowing six earned runs on nine hits in an 8-0 loss. It was the first time all season that he had allowed more than three earned runs in a start. Additionally, he allowed two home runs, which was also a rarity. He is facing the Cubs for the first time in 2022 and looks to rebound while also getting support from the offense.
The Cardinals are fifth in the majors in batting average, fifth in on-base percentage, and sixth in runs scored. They know how to manufacture runs and have clipped a solid tally throughout the year. Paul Goldschmidt leads the Cards with a .349 batting average with 11 home runs and 44 RBIs. Arenado is hitting .280 with 10 home runs and 36 RBIs. Both players pace the Cardinals and usually can determine whether St. Louis wins or loses. Goldschmidt went 1 for 5 on Thursday, while Arenado went 1 for 4.
The Cardinals will cover the spread if Mikolas can bounce back and have a productive outing against the Cubs. Also, the offense must give him run support, and the best way would be to score early and often to take the Cubs out of the game. Goldschmidt and Arenado need to contribute for the Cards to cover.
Why The Cubs Could Cover The Spread
The Cubs delivered a rare offensive explosion yesterday coupled with a solid pitching outing. Today, they have Marcus Stroman on the mound. Stroman pitched well in his last start against the Chicago White Sox, allowing no earned runs on three hits. He exited the game with a lead but unfortunately saw his team blow the lead and lose 5-4. Stroman is 2-4 with a 3.95 ERA and is looking to pick up the pace. The outing against the Sox was the second time he has hit seven innings. Also, it was the second time he did not allow a run in four games. Stroman had a 1.50 ERA in May and hopes to continue the stellar pitching in June. Additionally, he would like better support from the offense.
The Cubs' offense is 17th in batting average but eighth in on-base percentage. Likewise, they are 11th in runs and 12th in home runs. Chicago has demonstrated in 2022 that they are not a bad offensive team, just frustratingly inconsistent. Patrick Wisdom leads them with 11 home runs and 27 RBIs. However, he is hitting only .225. Only Contreras and Nico Hoerner are batting over .270 out of the regular starters in the lineup. Chicago must establish more consistency in the lineup and generate more runs.
The Cubs will cover the spread if Stroman gives them another high-quality start. Additionally, they cover if their offense gives him run support. It appears that five runs might be enough to support him. Yesterday, the Cubs tallied seven. It is all about consistency with the Cubs.
Final Cardinals-Cubs Prediction & Pick
The game did not go so well yesterday for the Cardinals. However, they try and bounce back today and do not have a ton of time to prepare as it is the typical day game at Wrigley. Mikolas has been excellent this season, and he should bounce back from a pedestrian start. This game has the makings of a 3-1 contest written all over it.
Final Cardinals-Cubs Prediction & Pick: Cardinals: -1.5 (+164)
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