It’s a battle of NL Central Division rivals, as the Chicago Cubs seek a third straight win in this four-game set against the St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday afternoon. The Cubs are listed as -122 home favorites in the MLB odds over the visiting Cardinals, but our Cardinals vs. Cubs predictions are looking at the total.
With both teams sending out starting pitchers who have been dinged up of late, read our full MLB picks below.
Cardinals vs Cubs prediction
My best bet
Over 7.5 (-122 at FanDuel)
My analysis
The Chicago Cubs have reeled off three straight wins and five of their last seven to stay in the mix of the NL Wild Card race, though they’re six games back of the Diamondbacks, who hold down that last spot.
They’ve been getting it done offensively during this little fun run, averaging 6.3 runs per contest, and scoring at least five runs in each of their wins. They'll likely need to provide the same support for starter Jameson Taillon, who got rocked in his last start.
Taillon was chased after just 4 1/3 against the Reds, surrendering six earned runs on six hits, including two long balls. He’ll be facing the St. Louis Cardinals for the fourth time this season, going 1-1 with a 4.15 ERA. That’s the highest ERA against any team he’s thrown at least six innings against on the year.
Ditto for batting average over that six-inning mark, as the Cardinals are raking at a .319 clip against Taillon. While the Cardinals have struggled in the second half, they have improved their offense. A Bottom-9 unit on the year, they’re just outside the Top 10 in scoring since the All-Star break.
Like Chicago, they’ll likely need to support veteran starter Kyle Gibson, who's allowed 3+ earned runs in six of his nine starts since June 1. The 36-year-old is coming off a loss to the Nationals, lasting just five innings while surrendering six hits, a pair of earned runs, and three walks in what turned out to be a 14-3 laugher.
Gibson faced the Cubs on July 13 and was dinged for 10 hits and four earned runs in four innings of work. The Over has hit in five straight meetings and I expect more of the same on Saturday.
Cardinals vs Cubs same-game parlay (SGP)
Over 7.5
Dansby Swanson 2+ hits
Nolan Arenado 2+ hits
Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson is a must-add to your ticket, as he’s shredding the Gibson in this small sample size. He’s faced the righty more than any Chicago player, hitting 10-for-17 with four walks. That’s an astonishing .588 average. In eight career games, he has three multi-hit efforts against him and has failed to record a hit just once. Swanson also has hits in 10 of his last 11 games overall.
Cards’ third-baseman Nolan Arenado is just as potent against Taillon. He’s one of three St. Louis batters with at least 22 at-bats against the Cubs starter, and he’s ripped him to the tune of 10-for-22, a .455 clip.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
Cardinals vs Cubs odds
Cardinals vs Cubs live odds
Cardinals vs Cubs opening odds
- Run line: St. Louis +1.5 (-205) | Chicago -1.5 (+170)
- Moneyline: St. Louis +100 | Chicago -120
- Over/Under: Over 7.5 | Under 7.5
Cardinals vs Cubs spread and Over/Under analysis
- Chicago has won four of the last six head-to-head meetings.
- St. Louis is 3-2 in its last five as the moneyline underdog.
- The Cardinals have cashed the Over in seven of their last eight games.
- The Cubs have gone Over the total in five of their last seven.
Cardinals vs Cubs trend
The Cubs are 3-2 against the Cardinals at home this season. Find more MLB betting trends for Cardinals vs. Cubs.
Cardinals vs Cubs game info
| Location: | Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL |
| Date: | Saturday, 8-3-2024 |
| First pitch: | 2:20 p.m. ET |
| TV: | Bally Sports Midwest, Marquee Sports Network |
| Cardinals starting pitcher: | Kyle Gibson (7-4, 3.97 ERA) |
| Cubs starting pitcher: | Jameson Taillon (7-6, 3.35 ERA) |
Cardinals vs Cubs latest injuries
Cardinals vs Cubs weather
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