The St. Louis Cardinals (11-24) and Chicago Cubs (17-17) renew their rivalry in the opener of a 3-game set at Wrigley Field Monday. First pitch is at 7:40 p.m. ET (MLB Network). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Cardinals vs. Cubs odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: First meeting. Cardinals won 13-6 last year.
The Cardinals snapped an 8-game losing streak with a 12-6 win over the Detroit Tigers Sunday. They tried to give it away though, as the bullpen came in and allowed 5 runs in the 6th inning to put Detroit up 6-3. 1B Paul Goldschmidt had other ideas as he went 4-for-5 with 3 homers and 4 RBI.
The Cubs have stumbled after a hot start to the season, losers of 7 of their last 10 games. They dropped the final game against the Miami Marlins Sunday, losing 5-4 in 14 innings. Their last 10 games were against the Marlins and Washington Nationals – 2 teams not expected to be in it. Chicago is 10-9 at home this season.
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Cardinals at Cubs projected starters
RHP Miles Mikolas vs. RHP Marcus Stroman
Mikolas (1-1, 5.79 ERA) makes his 8th start. He has a 1.66 WHIP, 2.2 BB/9 and 8.2 K/9 in 37 1/3 IP.
- Last start Wednesday vs. Los Angeles Angels: 5 2/3 IP, 3 ER, 8 H, 0 BB, 5 K
- Last 5 starts vs. Cubs: 2-1, 3.09 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, 25 K in 32 IP
Stroman (2-2, 2.18 ERA) makes his 8th start. He has a 1.09 WHIP, 3.5 BB/9 and 8.3 K/9 in 41 1/3 IP.
- Last start Wednesday vs. Washington Nationals: 6 IP, 1 ER, 5 H, 3 BB, 5 K
- Last 5 starts vs. Cardinals: 0-2, 5.97 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, 27 K in 28 2/3 IP
Cardinals at Cubs odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:36 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Cardinals +115 (bet $100 to win $115) | Cubs -140 (bet $140 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Cardinals +1.5 (-190) | Cubs -1.5 (+155)
- Over/Under (O/U): 7 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Cardinals at Cubs picks and predictions
Prediction
Cubs 4, Cardinals 2
Moneyline
The Cubs have beaten the Cards just twice in the last 10 games. Stroman has an ERA near 6 against the Cards, and Mikolas has been solid, right? Well, if you look deeper, Stroman’s numbers are skewed from a 9 ER outing last year. Take that away, and his ERA in the other 4 contests is 3.65. Also, Mikolas’ last 2 starts at Wrigley haven’t been good, allowing a combined 7 ER in 11 2/3 IP. I’m siding with the Cubs but not at -140.
PASS and look to the spread.
Run line/Against the spread
There has been just one 1-run game between the teams in the last 9. The Cards are 13-22 on the RL and 7-9 RL on the road. Meanwhile, the Cubs are 20-14 RL and 11-8 RL at home. Just 7 of the Cards’ 24 losses have been by 1 run.
Take the CUBS -1.5 (+155).
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Over/Under
It’s slated to be 51 degrees with a 14-mph wind blowing in from left-center field. That means it’ll be difficult for balls to leave the yard. The Cubs are 2-8 O/U over the last 10, and the Cards are 6-4. The Under is 5-4-1 in the last 10 meetings between the teams.
With the weather and struggling bats, take the UNDER 7 (-110).
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