The Baltimore Orioles (44-44) and Chicago Cubs (34-53) meet Wednesday to cap off a 2-game interleague set at Wrigley Field. First pitch is scheduled for 8:05 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze Tipico Sportsbook‘s lines around the Orioles vs. Cubs odds with MLB picks and predictions.
Season series: Baltimore leads 2-0. The teams will make up a rained-out game at Balitmore from June 8 on Aug. 18.
The Orioles arrived in Chicago with an 8-game win streak in tow. Baltimore won Tuesday’s game 4-2 and is now 20-11 over its last 31 games. The 9-game win streak is Baltimore’s longest since 1999.
The Cubs are an inverse 11-20 over their last 31. Albeit in close games — all by 1 or 2 runs — Chicago has lost 5 in a row.
Orioles at Cubs projected starters
RHP Spenser Watkins vs. LHP Justin Steele
Watkins (2-1, 4.15 ERA) has logged a 1.38 WHIP, 3.4 BB/9 and 4.9 K/9 through 47 2/3 IP in 12 starts.
- Owns a 1.02 ERA, 0.85 WHIP since returning from a forearm injury June 25.
- Is a fly-ball pitcher who has benefited from a low 7.7% rate of such hits leaving the yard.
Steele (3-5, 4.13 ERA) is tabbed for his 17th start. He has a 1.43 WHIP, 4.2 BB/9 and 9.0 K/9 in 76 1/3 IP.
- Has yielded 2 runs or less in 5 of his last 6 starts. Owns a 2.72 ERA over that stretch (1.88 at Wrigley).
- Being activated from the Paternity List for this start. Last pitched July 4 at Milwaukee (6 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 4 BB and 9 K).
Orioles at Cubs odds and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated 12:27 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Orioles +120 (bet $100 to win $120) | Cubs -145 (bet $145 to win $100)
- Run line (RL): Orioles +1.5 (-180) | Cubs -1.5 (+145)
- Over/Under (O/U): 8.5 (O: -102 | U: -122)
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Orioles at Cubs picks and predictions
Prediction
Cubs 4, Orioles 3
Money line
Peg Baltimore as being a bit overrated right now and a Cubs relief corps being due for better days.
Watkins has been buoyed by a low .277 batting average on balls in play to go alongside his low rate of home runs. he’s a fly-ball pitcher and that plays into a Chicago strength.
Steele has had to negotiate the traffic of a .313 BABIP and a low 68% left-on-base rate. The Cubs own a .762 OPS in their last 13 games and an .889 mark in their last 6 at home.
TAKE CHICAGO (-145).
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Run line/Against the spread
With leans on the home side and the Under, PASS on getting Chicago by on the run line.
Over/Under
The Cubs bullpen zags against its surface numbers (4.45 ERA heading into the series) and puts a green check in the Under column.
Baltimore’s recent run production isn’t fully supported by a strong OPS. On a cooled-off evening with an inward breeze in the forecast, BACK THE UNDER 8.5 (-122).
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