The Kansas City Royals (3-8) and Chicago Cubs (8-2) meet for the second installment of a four-game series Tuesday at 8:15 p.m. ET at Wrigley Field. We analyze the Royals-Cubs betting odds and lines, with MLB picks and best bets.
The Cubs won the Monday clash 2-0 as Alex Mills fought rainy conditions to log seven shutout innings — a pleasant surprise for Chicago. Third baseman Kris Bryant (stomach ailment) also returned to the lineup and promptly hit a home run.
Royals at Cubs: Projected starting pitchers
RHP Brady Singer at RHP Kyle Hendricks
In each of his first two big-league starts, Singer has given up two runs in five innings, though he struck out seven in his first outing and fanned just three Thursday.
- The righty, who celebrates his 24th birthday with this start, skipped Triple-A to reach the Royals’ rotation in this shortened season, so the shine may wear off soon as more big-league hitters see him. Still, he walked just 2.58 batters per nine for Double-A Northwest Arkansas, so his control could keep him around longer than most expect.
Hendricks took a step back after a dazzling start to the season. After a complete-game shutout in his 2020 debut at home, Hendricks melted down in hitter-friendly Cincinnati. Still, he’s kept up his control-friendly profile, walking just two batters in 13 1/3 innings so far.
- In fact, Hendricks has stark home-road splits, enjoying comfort in Chicago with a career 2.56 ERA, compared to 3.78 elsewhere.
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Royals at Cubs: Key injuries
Visit sportsdata.usatoday.com to track all MLB injuries leading up to game time.
Royals
- SS Adalberto Mondesi (quadriceps contusion) questionable
- SS Nicky Lopez (shin) questionable
- SP Mike Montgomery (back) out
- 3B Hunter Dozier (COVID-19) out until mid-August
Cubs
- SP Jose Quintana (thumb) out until mid-August
Royals at Cubs: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips
MLB odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated Tuesday at 12:55 p.m. ET.
Prediction
Cubs 5, Royals 2
Moneyline (ML)
- Royals +170
- Cubs -189
The Cubs are overwhelming favorites, and while Singer has a promising makeup for immediate success, Hendricks at home is just too strong an obstacle for this Royals club to overcome.
However, since the profitability doesn’t entice me, I’ll PASS on the Moneyline.
Run line/Against the spread (ATS)
- Royals +1.5 (-134)
- Cubs -1.5 (+110)
Because (spoiler alert) the Over/Under doesn’t invite a big return, I’d rather focus on the favored home team to some degree. I’ll BET the Cubs -1.5 (+110) with the notion that this experienced lineup, including the recently returned Bryant, SS Javier Baez, and LF Kyle Schwarber, will give Singer a rude awakening.
New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Cubs’ run line would return a profit of $11.
Over/Under (O/U)
- Over 7.5 (-110)
- Under 7.5 (-110)
Maybe these bullpens will push toward the Over late in the game, but I’d rather not take that chance with such little odds incentive. I don’t care to make a move here with each side posting the generic (-110). PASS.
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