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The Chicago Cubs (46-51) and St. Louis Cardinals (50-45) wrap up a 4-game series Sunday at Busch Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 2:15 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Cubs vs. Cardinals odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: St. Louis leads 6-2
Thanks to a postponed game on May 24, Saturday was a busy day for these teams.
In Game 1 of their Saturday doubleheader, the Cardinals pulled away almost immediately and won 11-3. St. Louis scored 9 runs in the 1st inning, although only 4 runs were earned, as Cubs RHP Hayden Wesneski had 2 errors. Seven Cardinals recorded an RBI.
St. Louis won 5-4 in Game 2 despite the Cubs scoring 4 runs in the 2nd inning and leading 4-3 for a majority of the game. Cardinals 3B Nolan Arenado helped St. Louis sweep the doubleheader with a a go-ahead 2-run single in the 8th inning.
Cubs at Cardinals projected starters
RHP Jameson Taillon vs. RHP Miles Mikolas
Taillon (6-4, 2.99 ERA) makes his 16th start. He has a 1.15 WHIP, 1.9 BB/9 and 7.4 K/9 in 87 1/3 IP.
- Last start: Win, 6 IP, 2 ER, 4 H, 1 BB, 7 K in 9-2 victory at Baltimore Orioles Tuesday
- 2024 road splits: 1-2, 3.07 ERA (41 IP, 14 ER), 1.14 WHIP, 5.9 K/9 in 7 starts
- Career vs. Cardinals: 5-2, 3.36 ERA (80 1/3 IP, 30 ER), 1.19 WHIP, 8.1 K/9 in 14 starts
Mikolas (7-7, 4.88 ERA) makes his 20th start. He has a 1.20 WHIP, 1.5 BB/9 and 6.3 K/9 in 107 IP.
- Last start: Win, 6 1/3 IP, 0 R, 6 H, 0 BB, 3 K in 6-0 road win against Washington Nationals Monday
- 2024 home splits: 1-3, 6.18 ERA (43 2/3 IP, 30 ER), 1.32 WHIP, 6.4 K/9 in 8 starts
- Career vs. Cubs: 6-4, 2.62 ERA (110 IP, 32 ER), 1.16 WHIP, 6.8 K/9 in 21 appearances (19 starts)
Who’s going yard? Here’s a breakdown of today’s best home run props with our top picks. Include the BetMGM bonus code SBWIRE to score a $1,500 first-bet offer.
Cubs at Cardinals odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 10 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Cubs +115 (bet $100 to win $115) | Cardinals -135 (bet $135 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Cubs +1.5 (-175) | Cardinals -1.5 (+145)
- Over/Under (O/U): 8.5 (O: -120 | U: +100)
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Cubs at Cardinals picks and predictions
Prediction
Cubs 7, Cardinals 4
Moneyline
The CUBS (+115) are 28-22 (56%) after a loss. The Cardinals are 15-16 (48.4%) as home favorites, the 5th-worst record in MLB.
Plus Mikolas has struggled at home this season, posting a 6.18 ERA.
BET CUBS (+115).
Run line/Against the spread
While I like Chicago for Sunday’s game, picking it at +1.5 just doesn’t give you the value. Also, the Cubs haven’t had back-to-back 1-run games since mid-June.
PASS.
Over/Under
St. Louis is a top-5 Over team after a win, with a 28-20-1 (58.3%) record. And as a favorite, it posts an even better Over percentage at 60.9% (28-18).
In July, the Cardinals have cashed the Over in 9 of their 12 games, while the Cubs are 6-6, a recent jump from their 45% Over rate this season.
LEAN OVER 8.5 (-120).
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