The Chicago Cubs aim to snap a brief skid as they take on the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium on Saturday.
With Cubs starter Colin Rea struggling against lefties, there's strong value in targeting Lars Nootbaar in the player prop market.
Read more in my Cubs vs. Cardinals predictions and MLB picks for Saturday, August 9.
Cubs vs Cardinals prediction
Cubs vs Cardinals best bet: Lars Nootbaar Over 1.5 hits, runs, & RBI (+100 at BetMGM)
Colin Rea has been a serviceable innings eater for the Chicago Cubs, but his 4.97 xERA and .285 xBA don’t inspire much confidence as the stretch run approaches.
The 35-year-old pitches to contact, avoiding free passes (6.2% walk rate) while not racking up many strikeouts (16.9% K rate). The thing is, the contact he allows can be damaging — Rea checks in at the 17th percentile in barrel rate and the 21st percentile in average exit velocity.
Those contact quality concerns will only be amplified on a day where the weather favors hitting. The forecast calls for temperatures above 90 at the time of first pitch, and winds of 9 to 11 mph will be blowing out to left field.
Rea’s primary deficiency is against left-handed batters, who are slashing .305/.358/.534 while giving him a 5.66 FIP.
One left-handed batter poised to capitalize on this matchup for the St. Louis Cardinals is Lars Nootbaar. The outfielder has great underlying metrics (92nd percentile hard-hit rate, 87th percentile chase rate), hits righties well (113 wRC+), and performs better at home (141 wRC+).
Nootbaar carries a three-game hitting streak into a Saturday matchup he should exploit.
Cubs vs Cardinals same-game parlay (SGP)
Lars Nootbaar Over 1.5 H+R+RBI
Andre Pallante Over 16.5 Outs Recorded
Under 9.5
The Cubs have lost three of their last four games to make the NL Wild Card picture more interesting, and it’s difficult to have much confidence in their lineup after plating a total of three runs in those three losses. They’ve cashed the Under in six of their last seven games.
Andre Pallante is in fine form (two earned runs in his last 12 IP) and will benefit from a pitcher's umpire (Bill Miller) behind the plate.
Cubs vs Cardinals odds
Cubs vs Cardinals live odds
Cubs vs Cardinals opening odds
- Moneyline: Chicago -115 | St. Louis -105
- Run line: Chicago -1.5 (+150) | St. Louis +1.5 (-180)
- Over/Under: Over 9 (-105) | Under 9 (-115)
Cubs vs Cardinals trend
The Cardinals have hit the Under in 11 of their last 18 games. Find more MLB betting trends for Cubs vs. Cardinals.
How to watch Cubs vs Cardinals and game info
| Location | Busch Stadium, St. Louis, MO |
| Date | Saturday, August 9, 2025 |
| First pitch | 7:15 p.m. ET |
| TV | FOX |
| Cubs starting pitcher | Colin Rea (8-5, 4.23 ERA) |
| Cardinals starting pitcher | Andre Pallante (6-8, 4.57 ERA) |
Cubs vs Cardinals latest injuries
Cubs vs Cardinals weather
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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