The Chicago Cubs (57-75) and Minnesota Twins (58-73) kick off a two-game inter-league series Tuesday. First pitch from Target Field is scheduled for 8:10 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze the lines around the Cubs vs. Twins odds with MLB picks and predictions.
Cubs RHP Zach Davies (6-10, 5.00 ERA) makes his 28th start. He has a 1.49 WHIP, 4.4 BB/9 and 7.0 K/9 through 131 1/3 IP.
- Is 0-4 with a 7.53 ERA through 28 2/3 IP across his last seven starts. The Cubs are 1-6 through that span.
- Has a slightly below-average .284 BABIP and totes a 5.95 expected ERA.
Twins RHP John Gant (4-8, 4.00 ERA) makes his 17th start and 35th appearance. He has a 1.52 WHIP, 6.0 BB/9 and 7.4 K/9 through 92 1/3 IP.
- Has a 6.75 ERA through 16 IP across two starts and seven relief appearances since being acquired from the St. Louis Cardinals.
- Is 0-1 with a 10.13 ERA over 5 1/3 IP in one start and three relief appearances against the Cubs – all while a member of the Cardinals. Allowed 5 ER on 1 hit and 5 walks through 1 2/3 IP in the start.
Cubs at Twins odds, lines, picks and prediction
MLB odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 9:36 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Cubs +125 (bet $100 to win $125) | Twins -155 (bet $155 to win $100)
- Against the spread/ATS: Cubs +1.5 (-155) | Twins -1.5 (+125)
- Over/Under: 9.5 (O: -105 | U: -120)
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Prediction
Twins 6, Cubs 5
Money line (ML)
There’s definitely some hesitancy here backing the Twins with Gant on the mound, but the Cubs just aren’t very good.
While the Twins have had their share of struggles in August, they remain ahead of the Cubs in OPS, wRC+ and wOBA. Minnesota is 8-4 over its last 12 home games with four consecutive series wins despite facing division leaders in the Chicago White Sox, Tampa Bay Rays and Milwaukee Brewers.
Both Davies and Gant aren’t likely to stretch too far into this game. Although the Twins bullpen isn’t the top of the league, it does stack up better than a Cubs relief corps that possesses the league’s second-worst ERA and FIP in the second half of the season.
Temper your expectations in the event Gant gets lit up, but consider a partial-unit play on the TWINS (-155)
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Run line/Against the spread (ATS)
Given both starters’ struggles, neither team having world-beaters on the backend and two offenses that have stacked up similarly in August, it’s best to just avoid the run line. PASS.
Over/Under (O/U)
Either man on the mound could give up a crooked number, and both bullpens are likely candidates to give up even more action toward the end of the game.
The Twins have hit right-handed pitching fairly well all season despite their August struggles at the plate. They’re a top-10 unit in wRC+, wOBA and OPS against righties, so they should have an opportunity to do plenty of damage against Davies.
Back the OVER 9.5 (-105)
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