Cubs vs Cardinals Game Preview and Pick
The Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals close Major League Baseball’s first half with a four-game series at Busch Stadium. Kyle Hendricks faces Sonny Gray in Friday’s opener (8:15 p.m. ET), which can be seen on Apple TV.
Chicago, a +170 underdog per BetUS MLB lines, sits in last place in the National League Central at 45-49 but is coming off a surprising sweep of the American League East-leading Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards.
St. Louis, meanwhile, is 48-44 and clinging to the second NL wild card after dropping back-to-back games to the Kansas City Royals in a rain-shortened series at home. Despite its winning record, St. Louis has the third-worst run differential (-38) in the NL ahead of only Colorado (-167) and Miami (-146).
What can bettors expect? We break down both clubs and give our Cubs vs Cardinals betting odds and picks.
CHI Cubs vs. STL Cardinals Recent Scores
Chicago Cubs Last 5
- July 6, 2024: 7-0 loss vs Los Angeles Angels
- July 7, 2024: 5-0 win over Los Angeles Angels
- July 9, 2024: 9-2 win at Baltimore Orioles
- July 10, 2024: 4-0 win at Baltimore Orioles
- July 11, 2024: 8-0 win at Baltimore Orioles
St. Louis Cardinals Last 5
- July 6, 2024: 14-6 loss at Washington Nationals
- July 7, 2024: 8-3 win at Washington Nationals
- July 8, 2024: 6-0 win at Washington Nationals
- July 10, 2024: 6-4 loss vs Kansas City Royals
- July 10, 2024: 8-5 loss vs Kansas City Royals
Sponsored Ad
Cardinals Wait Out Mother Nature to Win Last Meeting
This is already the sixth game between Chicago and St. Louis Cardinals this season, with the Cardinals holding a 4-1 edge in the previous two series.
They last played on May 25 at Busch Stadium, as the Cardinals won 4-3 in a game delayed more than two and a half hours by rain. Paul Goldschmidt and Ian Happ each homered twice.
Cubs vs. Cardinals Betting Preview
Cubs Trudge Forward Without Bellinger
The Cubs (45-49) are among baseball’s biggest underachievers, though its three-game sweep of Baltimore offers hope in an otherwise dismal first half. They outscored the Orioles 21-2, improving their run differential to -5.
Chicago – which has won three of its last four games by shutout – will be without Cody Bellinger. The former NL MVP is on the 10-day MLB injured list after fracturing his finger during Wednesday’s 4-0 win. Through 79 games, he has a .269/.331/.410 slash line with nine homers.
The Cubs are just 45-49 against the run line but have covered in six of their last seven MLB games.
Redbirds Clinging to Playoff Spot
The Cardinals (48-44) have managed to stick in the playoff hunt despite disappointing years from perennial All-Stars Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado, who are performing well under their career norms. They trail the first-place Brewers by 5.0 games in the NL Central.
Oddsmakers remain skeptical of their staying power – the Cardinals are +115 to reach the postseason – and they could certainly benefit from a strong showing against the Cubs. The Cardinals are 24-20 at home and 23-21 against the run line. Overall, they’ve covered in exactly half of their games.
Bettors should keep that in mind when assessing any Cubs vs Cardinals betting odds and picks.
Sponsored Ad
Cubs vs. Cardinals Odds Breakdown
-Before our Cubs betting analysis and Cardinals game predictions, the updated MLB odds-
1Moneyline:
Chicago Cubs +170, St. Louis Cardinals -200
2Total:
8.0 runs (-115/-105)
3Runline:
Chicago Cubs +1.5 (-120), St. Louis Cardinals -1.5 (EV)
The Cardinals are -200 favorites, which is no surprise considering they have the edge on the mound. Gray threw five shutout innings in his last start against Chicago and is 9-5 with a 3.30 ERA.
He’s a much more reliable option than Hendricks, who exited last Saturday’s start against the Angels, his most recent outing, after just two innings (43 pitches) due to lower back tightness. Even when healthy, Hendricks (1-7, 7.53 ERA) has struggled to get outs.
- The total has been set at 8.0 runs, with an edge to the Over at -115 MLB odds.
That’s important to remember when analyzing our MLB free picks.
Cubs vs. Cardinals Final Score Prediction
Hendricks has been hit hard this season, and the back issue that shortened his last start only heightens the concern about his performance.
Chicago’s bats heated up against Baltimore, averaging 7.0 runs in the three-game series, but Gray is among the better pitchers it’s seen this season. The three-time All-Star has already shut down the Cubs once, holding them to one hit across five innings in a rain-shortened start on May 26, and he’s poised to do so again.
Thus, we’re taking the Cardinals at -1.5 (EV) on the run line in this Cubs vs Cardinals betting odds and picks preview.
More Related News
- Cleveland Guardians vs Baltimore Orioles Best Bets & Trends
- 2024 Copa America Group B: Mexico vs Venezuela Picks & Parlays
- Cleveland Guardians vs Baltimore Orioles Best Bets & Trends
- Women’s Copa de la Reina: Athletic Club vs. Real Madrid Best Bets
- New York Rangers vs Carolina Hurricanes Betting Picks and Prediction
If you love sports and want more sports betting information follow us as @InsidersBetDig on Twitter. Sign up to our mailing list for free betting picks. Make sure to visit the best offshore betting sites to maximize your betting experience.
Bet only what you can afford to lose. If you have a problem with that, please visit NCPG website or call 1-800-GAMBLER.
