The Chicago Cubs (47-49) and St. Louis Cardinals (48-48) play the finale of a four-game set Thursday at Busch Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook‘s lines around the Cubs vs. Cardinals odds with MLB picks and predictions.
RHP Adbert Alzolay is the projected starting pitcher for the Cubs. He is 4-9 with a 4.59 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 9.1 K/9 and 2.6 BB/9 over 82 1/3 innings across 16 starts.
Alzolay has dropped his past five decisions and hasn’t won in his last six outings. He was on the short end of a 2-1 decision in St. Louis May 22, allowing two runs, five hits and no walks with six strikeouts across seven innings.
LHP Kwang Hyun Kim is the projected starting pitcher for the Cardinals. He is 5-5 with a 2.87 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 6.9 K/9 and 3.1 BB/9 across 78 1/3 innings in 16 starts.
Kim has been on fire lately, winning each of his past four outings. He hasn’t allowed a run in his last three starts, spanning 19 innings. That includes six scoreless innings with five hits and a walk allowed July 10 at Wrigley Field against the Cubs.
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Cubs at Cardinals odds, lines, picks and prediction
MLB odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 4:43 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Cubs +110 (bet $100 to win $110) | Cardinals -135 (bet $135 to win $100)
- Against the spread/ATS: Cubs +1.5 (-185) | Cardinals -1.5 (+150)
- Over/Under: 8.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)
Prediction
Cardinals 5, Cubs 1
Money line (ML)
The CARDINALS (-135) are the play behind the red-hot Kim, who hasn’t allowed a run in the month of July. He’ll be working opposite Alzolay, who has certainly been a little more giving.
Look for the CARDS (-135) to take care of their bitter rivals in this series finale.
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Run line/Against the spread (ATS)
The CARDINALS -1.5 (+150) are a great play. In three of its past four victories, St. Louis has covered the run line. That includes Monday’s 8-3 win over the Cubs in the series opener.
During Kim’s four-start win streak, the Cardinals have outscored the opposition 21-8, winning by two or more runs in each outing.
Over/Under (O/U)
The UNDER 8.5 (-115) is the lean. The Under is 3-1-1 across the past five starts by Alzolay, and 6-2-2 across his past 10 outings.
The Under has hit in the past two starts by Kim, too. As mentioned above, he hasn’t allowed any runs in three July outings.
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