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The St. Louis Cardinals (23-26) welcome the Chicago Cubs (27-24) to Busch Stadium Saturday. First pitch to kick off the series is set for 7:15 p.m. ET (FOX). Let’s analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s lines around the Cubs vs. Cardinals odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: First meeting of 2024, Friday’s game was postponed
The Cubs-Cardinals game, which was rained out on Friday, has been rescheduled for July 13.
Chicago is coming off a 3-0 loss to the Atlanta Braves Thursday, closing as a -117 favorite. The Cubs have lost 2 straight and 5 of their last 7. Chicago is just 3-7 over its last 10. It sits 2nd in the NL Central and has a 25-26 against the spread (ATS) record.
The Cardinals completed a rare home sweep and beat the Baltimore Orioles, one of the best teams in the MLB, in 3 straight at home. They won 5-4 in the series finale Wednesday, closing as a +124 underdog. St. Louis has won 5 of its last 6 and 8 of its last 10. It is 25-24 ATS on the season.
Cubs at Cardinals projected starters
RHP Jameson Taillon vs. RHP Miles Mikolas
Taillon (3-2, 2.20 ERA) makes his 7th start. He has a 1.19 WHIP, 2.8 BB/9 and 6.1 K/9 through 32 2/3 IP.
- Last start: Loss, 4 2/3 IP, 3 ER, 6 H, 2 BB, 4 K in 3-2 home loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates Sunday
- 2024 road splits: 0-1, 2.38 ERA (11 1/3 IP, 3 ER), 11 H, 3 HR, 4 BB, 3 K in 2 starts
- Career vs. Cardinals: 5-1, 3.28 ERA (68 2/3 IP, 25 ER), 1.12 WHIP, 8.7 K/9 in 12 starts
Mikolas (3-5, 5.77 ERA) makes his 11th start. He has a 1.40 WHIP, 1.9 BB/9 and 6.6 K/9 through 53 IP.
- Last start: Win, 5 IP, 1 ER, 2 H, 1 BB, 4 K in 7-2 home win over the Boston Red Sox last Saturday
- 2024 home splits: 0-2, 6.20 ERA (20 1/3 IP, 14 ER), 26 H, 5 HR, 3 BB, 24 K in 6 starts
- Career vs. Cubs: 5-4, 2.58 ERA (97 2/3 IP, 28 ER), 1.21 WHIP, 6.6 K/9 in 17 starts and 2 relief appearances
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Cubs at Cardinals odds
Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:40 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Cubs -106 (bet $106 to win $100) | Cardinals -110 (bet $110 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Cubs -1.5 (+155) | Cardinals +1.5 (-188)
- Over/Under (O/U): 8.5 (O: -112 | U: -108)
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Cubs at Cardinals picks and predictions
Prediction
Cubs 5, Cardinals 3
Moneyline
BET CUBS (-106).
The Cubs have struggled as of late, but they have held their opponent to 3 or fewer in 4 of Taillon’s last 6 starts. Chicago has won 4 of his 6 starts and has only lost to the Braves and Pittsburgh with the latter being a 3-2 loss. The Cubs are also the 4th-best team in the MLB following a loss with a 16-7 record.
Meanwhile, despite sweeping the Orioles at home, the Cardinals are still just 11-12 at Busch Stadium. Given the pitching disadvantages and home-field struggles, avoid the Cardinals here and back CUBS (-106).
Run line/Against the spread
PASS.
While this is enticing with the Cubs as a run-line favorite, the odds just pose better value on the moneyline. For the Cardinals, they are far too expensive, almost 2x your potential return here, as a run line underdog and are certainly not worth any wager.
Over/Under
LEAN UNDER 8.5 (-108).
The Cubs are 2-4 O/U in Taillon’s 6 starts this season. They have gone Under in 4 of their last 5 as well, scoring 4 or fewer in 7 straight games. Chicago is 21-28-2 O/U. The Cardinals are the opposite and have been red-hot.
Despite going over in 5 of their last 6, the Cardinals are still 23-24-2 O/U. They are 3-7 O/U in Mikolas’ 10 starts. Considering the trends for both starting pitchers, back UNDER 8.5 (-108).
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