The St. Louis Cardinals will play their divisional rival Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. NBC Sports Chicago will be televising the action and the game is scheduled to get going at 3:20 p.m. ET.
St. Louis Cardinals vs. 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 moneyline bettors while earning 1.4 units (ATS). The Cardinals have gone 88-73 SU this year and are 83-77 ATS. In total, the team’s gained 2.1 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 5.0 units ATS.
Cubs 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 the projected starter 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 punchouts 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.
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 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 in 2018, including 4.6 runs per game against divisional foes and 3.0 per game over the team’s last five outings (1-4 SU).
Left fielder Marcell Ozuna and first baseman Jose Martinez have paced St. Louis’ offense. Ozuna is slashing .280/.325/.433 with 23 home runs, 88 RBIs and 69 runs scored. Martinez (.303/.361/.456) is up to 17 homers, 83 RBIs and 63 runs scored.
In the home-team dugout, Chicago’s pitchers have yielded 4.0 runs per game overall in 2018. The team’s starters have a 3.85 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 7.8 strikeouts per nine innings. 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.
Chicago’s hitters have produced 4.7 runs per outing, including 4.1 per game against divisional foes and 3.8 per game over their last five. The team’s hit .247/.311/.333 over its last five contests and is 3-2 SU during that span.
Second baseman Javier Baez and first baseman Anthony Rizzo have led the Cubs’ hitters this year. Baez is hitting .289/.324/.555 with 34 home runs, 111 RBIs, 98 runs and 21 stolen bases, and Rizzo’s line sits at .278/.372/.459 with 24 homers, 99 RBIs and 70 runs.
St. Louis Cardinals at Chicago Cubs Free Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Cubs, ATS Winner – Cardinals, O/U – OVER
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Notes
Betting Notes
St. Louis has tallied 10 extra-base hits over its last five contests. Chicago has nine XBH over its last five.
The St. Louis defense has allowed 17 errors over the last 10 games, compared to 10 errors for Chicago over its last 10.
The Cardinals have hit eight home runs in their last 10 games. The Cubs have hit six over their last 10.
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