The St. Louis Cardinals (56-52) and Chicago Cubs (52-58) begin a 4-game series Thursday. First pitch from Wrigley Field is set for 8:05 p.m (MLB Network). ET. Let’s analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s lines around the Cardinals vs. Cubs odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Cardinals lead 6-3
St. Louis heads to Chicago after going 3-3 on a 6-game homestand. They beat the Rangers 10-1 on Wednesday behind a stellar MLB debut from RHP Michael McGreevy (7 IP, 1 ER, 5 H, 1 BB, 3K). Newly acquired LF Tommy Pham made an impact, going 3-for-4 with a double, 2 RBI and 2 runs scored. The Cardinals are 27-27 on the road and 54-53 against the spread (ATS).
The Cubs routed the Cincinnati Reds 13-4 on Wednesday to end their 6-game road trip at 3-3. Lots of big offensive performances from DH Cody Bellinger (3-for-5 with 2 RBI and 2 runs scored), LF Ian Happ (3-for-4 with a HR and a double) and RF Seiya Suzuki (2 doubles and 3 RBI). Chicago is 27-25 at Wrigley Field and 50-59 ATS.
Cardinals at Cubs projected starters
RHP Sonny Gray vs. LHP Shota Imanaga
Gray (10-6, 3.79 ERA) makes his 20th start. He has a 1.10 WHIP, 2.2 BB/9 and 11.1 K/9 in 111 2/3 IP.
- Last start: No-decision, 5 IP, 5 ER, 7 H, 3 BB, 7 K in 10-8 home loss against Washington Nationals Friday
- 2024 road splits: 4-2, 5.29 ERA (47 2/3 IP, 31 R (28 ER), 1.28 WHIP, 11.3 K/9 in 8 starts
- 2024 vs. Cubs: 1-1, 2.25 ERA, 12 IP, 3 ER, 10 H, 2 BB, 14 K in 2 starts
Imanaga (8-2, 2.95 ERA) makes his 20th start. He has a 1.07 WHIP, 1.4 BB/9 and 9.1 K/9 in 109 2/3 IP.
- Last start: No-decision, 5 2/3 IP, 3 ER, 6 H, 0 BB, 3 K in 9-4 road loss to the Kansas City Royals Saturday
- 2024 road splits: 3-1, 3.14 ERA (57 1/3 IP, 25 R (20 ER), 0.96 WHIP, 10.2 K/9 in 10 starts
- Only start vs. Cardinals: Win, 7 IP, 1 ER, 4 H, 0 BB, 6 K in 5-1 home victory on June 15
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Cardinals at Cubs odds
Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:16 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Cardinals -106 (bet $106 to win $100) | Cubs -110 (bet $110 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread: Cardinals -1.5 (+162) | Cubs -1.5 (-196)
- Over/Under (O/U): 8 (O: -106 | U: -114)
Cardinals at Cubs picks and predictions
Prediction
Cubs 4, Cardinals 2
Moneyline
BET CUBS (-106).
I’ve got the Cubs taking the opener of this 4-Game set behind Imanaga. He shut down the Cardinals earlier this season at Wrigley. That shouldn’t surprise anyone seeing that St. Louis hits just .227 against left handers. Chicago has a 3.27 team ERA at home.
The month of July was good for the Cubs offense, hitting .244 at a team which was the best of the season. They are also hitting nearly 40 points higher since the All-Star break.
Run line/Against the spread
PASS.
I’m going to keep my bet to the moneyline.
Over/Under
My lean is to the Under because of the pitching matchup but when you look at the trends, they all point to the Over. Their last 3 meetings have gone Over. For that reason, I’m going to AVOID this bet.
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