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The St. Louis Cardinals (33-34) and Chicago Cubs (33-35) begin a 3-game series Friday. First pitch from Wrigley Field is slated for 2:20 p.m. ET (MLB Network). 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 2-0
The Cardinals finished 4-3 in their 7-game homestand after Thursday’s 4-3 over the Pittsburgh Pirates. LF Brendan Donovan took Pirates RHP Mitch Keller deep in the 6th inning to snap the 3-all tie. St. Louis also got a 2-run HR from 1B Paul Goldschmidt. They are 16-19 away from Busch Stadium as they head off on a 6-game road trip.
The Cubs are thrilled to be heading back to Chicago after going 2-5 over their 7-game road trip. They dropped their series finale against the Tampa Bay Rays 3-2 on Thursday. Starting LHP Justin Steele was the hard-luck loser (6 IP, 0 ER, 3 H, 5 K) with the only offense coming on a fielder’s choice ground out followed by a sacrifice from C Yan Gomes.
Cardinals at Cubs projected starters
RHP Kyle Gibson vs. LHP Jordan Wicks
Gibson (4-2, 3.76 ERA) makes his 14th start. He has a 1.27 WHIP, 3.5 BB/9 and 7.9 K/9 in 76 2/3 IP.
- Last start: No-decision, 6 IP, 3 ER, 8 H, 2 BB, 7 K in 6-5 loss against the Colorado Rockies Saturday
- Last start vs Cubs: Loss, 6 IP, 3 ER, 3 H, 2 BB, 7 K in 3-2 road loss June 17, 2023, as a member of the Baltimore Orioles
- Has lost all 4 of his career starts against the Cubs
Wicks (1-2, 4.44 ERA) makes his 6th start. He has a 1.48 WHIP, 3.4 BB/9 and 10.3 K/9 in 26 1/3 IP.
- Last start: Win, 6 IP, 2 ER, 5 H, 0 BB, 4 K in 7-2 victory against the Houston Astros on April 23
- Has never started against the Cubs
- 2024 home splits: 1-1, 3.38 ERA (10 2/3 IP, 4 ER), 1.13 WHIP, 9.3 K/9 in 2 starts
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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 12:23 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Cardinals -104 (bet $104 to win $100) | Cubs -112 (bet $112 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Cardinals -1.5 (+158) | Cubs +1.5 (-192)
- Over/Under (O/U): 8 (O: -115 | U: -105)
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Cardinals at Cubs picks and predictions
Prediction
Cubs 4, Cardinals 3
Moneyline.
BET CUBS (-104).
I like Chicago to take the opener of this series at home. The Cubs have owned Gibson and it doesn’t matter what team he’s pitching for at the time. He’s 0-4 with a 6.64 ERA against the Cubs. Gibson has also allowed at least 3 ER in both of his starts this month.
Chicago begins a 9-game homestand, which is music to their ears since they are 18-13 at Wrigley Field.
Run line/Against the spread
PASS.
I’ll save my wager for the money line in this game.
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Over/Under
BET UNDER 8 (-105)
It’s hard not to love the Under in this game with all the trends pointing you that direction. In their last 5 meetings, the Under has hit in 4 of them. The Cubs have been Under in their last 6 games and the Cardinals have been Under in their last 4.
Wicks has allowed 2 runs or fewer in 4 of his last 5 starts while Gibson has allowed a grand total of 7 ER over his last 4 starts (21 2/3 IP). This game should be low scoring.
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