The Baltimore Orioles (43-25) and Chicago Cubs (31-37) open a 3-game set Friday at Wrigley Field. First pitch is scheduled for 2:20 p.m. ET (MLB Network). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Orioles vs. Cubs odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: First meeting of 2023; Orioles won last season’s series 3-1
The Orioles won 4-2 as -115 home favorites vs. the Toronto Blue Jays Thursday. Baltimore has won 6 of its last 7 games and is 5 games behind the Tampa Bay Rays for the lead in the AL East.
The Cubs won 7-2 as -142 home favorites vs. the Pittsburgh Pirates Thursday. Chicago is on a 3-game win streak and sits 4th in the NL Central, 3.5 games behind the division-leading Pirates.
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Orioles at Cubs projected starters
LHP Cole Irvin vs. RHP Kyle Hendricks
Irvin (1-2, 7.85 ERA) makes his 5th start and 6th appearance. He has a 1.75 WHIP, 3.9 BB/9 and 8.8 K/9 in 18 1/3 innings.
- Last start: Win, 5 1/3 IP, 1 ER, 6 H, 0 BB, 5 K in a 6-1 win vs. Kansas City Royals Saturday
- Only career start vs. Cubs: Loss, 4 2/3 IP, 7 ER, 7 H, 3 BB, 6 K in an 8-4 road loss May 5, 2022
Hendricks (1-2, 3.09 ERA) makes his 5th start. He has a 1.07 WHIP, 2.3 BB/9 and 5.8 K/9 in 23 1/3 innings.
- Last start: Win, 8 IP, 0 ER, 1 H, 1 BB, 3 K in a 4-0 win at San Francisco Giants Saturday
- Only career start vs. Orioles: No-decision, 2 IP, 2 ER, 5 H, 0 BB, 2 K in a 7-2 win at home Aug. 8, 2014
Orioles 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 10:05 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Orioles -110 (bet $110 to win $100) | Cubs -110 (bet $110 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Orioles -1.5 (+150) | Cubs +1.5 (-185)
- Over/Under (O/U): 8.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)
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Orioles at Cubs picks and predictions
Prediction
Orioles 5, Cubs 4
Moneyline
The Orioles have won 6 of their last 7 games and are 4-1 in their last 5 interleague games vs. teams with a losing record. The Cubs have lost last their last 4 interleague games and are just 1-4 in their last 5 after allowing 2 or fewer runs.
BET ORIOLES (-110).
Run line/Against the spread
With Irvin on the mound for Baltimore, the Cubs should be able to score enough runs to keep it close. Chicago +1.5 (-185) should hit, but there’s no need to pay the higher price on the run line when Baltimore ML is the better play. Bet Orioles ML and/or the total instead.
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Over/Under
The Over has hit in the Cubs’ last 4 games and 7 of their last 10 at home. The Orioles are averaging 6.75 runs over their last 4 games and that coupled with Irvin’s inconsistency as a starter should help the Over cash once again Friday.
BET OVER 8.5 (-105).
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