Tag: Chicago Cubs vs. Cleveland Guardians odds predictions pick betting line spread

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The Chicago Cubs (59-62) and Cleveland Guardians (71-49) wrap up a 3-game interleague series Wednesday. First pitch from Progressive Field is set for 6:40 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s lines around the Cubs vs. Guardians odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.

Season series: Guardians lead 2-0

The Cubs made a valiant comeback Monday, but ended up falling 9-8 in the series opener. On Tuesday, it was another 1-run loss, as the Guardians eked out a 2-1 victory behind LHP Matthew Boyd in his 1st start of the season.

The Guardians suffered a 7-game losing streak, but won the final 2 games in the Twin Cities. Cleveland carried the momentum home and it has now won 4 in a row after taking the 1st 2 games from the Cubs.

Despite the Under (9) on Tuesday, the Over has still cashed in at a 7-2 clip in the past 9 games at Progressive Field. For the Cubs, they’re 8-4 in the past 12 games, while the Over is also 8-4 in the span.

Cubs at Guardians projected starters

RHP Jameson Taillon vs. RHP Alex Cobb

Taillon (8-6, 3.50 ERA) makes his 21st start. He has a 1.18 WHIP, 1.7 BB/9 and 7.0 K/9 in 115 2/3 IP.

• Last start: Win, 5 IP, 5 ER, 9 H (2 HR), 0 BB, 4 K in 7-6 road victory vs. Chicago White Sox Friday
• 2024 road splits: 3-3, 4.50 ERA (56 IP, 28 ER), 1.25 WHIP, .270 opponents’ batting average (OBA), 10 BB, 38 K in 10 starts
• Career vs. Guardians: 1-2, 4.71 ERA (21 IP, 11 ER), 1.24 WHIP, 9.4 K/9 in 4 starts

Cobb, acquired at the MLB non-waiver trade deadline from the San Francisco Giants, made his season and team debut Friday in Game 2 of a doubleheader in Minnesota. He started the season on the 60-day injured list recovering from hip surgery, while also dealing with inflammation in his right shoulder.

• Last start: Loss, 4 2/3 IP, 5 R (4 ER), 9 H (1 HR), 1 BB, 1 K in 6-3 road setback vs. Twins
• 2023 home splits (w/Giants): 5-2, 1.95 ERA (74 IP, 16 ER), .225 OBA, 1.04 WHIP, 15 BB, 60 K in 12 starts (2 CG)
• Career vs. Cubs: 0-1, 1.50 ERA (12 IP, 2 ER), 9 H, 1 BB, 17 K in 2 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 Guardians odds

Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:23 a.m. ET.

• Moneyline (ML): Cubs +108 (bet $100 to win $108) | Guardians -126 (bet $126 to win $100)
• Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Cubs +1.5 (-205) | Guardians -1.5 (+168)
• Over/Under (O/U): 8 (O: -122 | U: +100)

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Cubs at Guardians picks and predictions

Prediction

Cubs 6, Guardians 5

Moneyline

The CUBS (+108) are a good, but risky, play behind Taillon, as they look to salvage something from this interleague series. While Taillon won last time out, it was against the lowly White Sox. And he has allowed at least 3 ER in each of his past 3 road outings, so expect to chew down your fingernails.

The visitors are the play, though, as the Guardians (-126) have Cobb on the hill, and he was underwhelming in his team debut over the weekend in Minnesota. The veteran journeyman could be a good addition to the beleaguered staff, once he gets his sea legs, but he is coming back from a lengthy layoff, so it to take some time before effectiveness returns.

Run line/Against the spread

The Cubs +1.5 (-205) will cost you more than 2 times your potential return, if you need some insurance and can’t fathom betting Chicago straight up. That’s way too much risk for not enough reward.

AVOID, and just play the moneyline if you like the Cubbies.

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Over/Under

OVER 8 (-122) might be the best play on the board with this combination of starting pitchers.

The Over has cashed in 5 of the past 7 starts by Taillon, and the total has ended up going high in 8 of the past 12 games for Chicago since July 31.

For the Guardians, the Over cashed in Cobb’s lone start with the team in Game 2 of Friday’s double dip in the Twin Cities. Despite the unexpected pitcher’s duel Tuesday, the Over is still 7-2 in the past 9 outings at Progressive Field.

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The Chicago Cubs (59-61) and Cleveland Guardians (70-49) play the middle contest of a 3-game interleague series Tuesday. First pitch from Progressive Field is set for 6:40 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s lines around the Cubs vs. Guardians odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.

Season series: Guardians lead 1-0

The Guardians held off the Cubs 9-8 in Monday’s series opener. Cleveland opened an 8-3 lead after 6 innings, but a Cubs’ 4-run top of the 7th made for a harrowing final few innings for the Guardians. Rookie OF Jhonkensy Noel swatted a pair of homers, including a go-ahead 3-run HR in the bottom of the 4th. Nicknamed “Big Christmas,” he has 8 homers in 21 career games since his MLB debut June 26.

After a 7-game losing streak, the Guardians have picked up 3 consecutive wins. Cleveland also snapped a 5-game losing skid at home, and the Over is now 7-1 in the previous 8 outings at Progressive Field.

Despite the loss Monday, the Cubs are 8-3 in the past 11 games, while cashing the Over in 8 of the past 11 outings, too.

Cubs at Guardians projected starters

RHP Javier Assad vs. LHP Matthew Boyd

Assad (5-3, 3.24 ERA) makes his 22nd start. He has a 1.36 WHIP, 4.1 BB/9 and 7.9 K/9 in 102 2/3 innings.

• Last start: No-decision, 4 IP, 2 ER, 3 H, 2 BB, 1 K in 8-2 home victory vs. Minnesota Twins Wednesday
• 2024 road splits: 3-2, 4.17 ERA (49 2/3 IP, 23 ER), 1.33 WHIP, .257 opponents’ batting average (OBA), 8.9 K/9 in 10 starts
• Career vs. Guardians: 1 relief appearance July 1, 2023, no-decision, 3 IP, 0 ER, 1 H, 1 BB, 5 K in 6-0 home loss

Boyd, who signed a free-agent deal June 29, makes his season and Cleveland debut. He last appearance in an MLB game was June 26, 2023, as a member of the Detroit Tigers. The 33-year-old southpaw has been recovering from Tommy John surgery. He went 5-5 with a 5.45 ERA and 1.32 WHIP in 15 starts last season for Detroit.

• 2023 home splits (w/Tigers): 1-5, 7.49 ERA (33 2/3 IP, 28 ER), .294 OBA, 1.69 WHIP, 7.2 K/9 in 7 starts
• Career vs. Cubs: 0-1, 6.75 ERA (6 2/3 IP, 5 ER), 7 H, 1 BB, 8 K in 1 start and 1 relief appearance, last facing them in 2021

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 Guardians odds

Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 4:02 a.m. ET.

• Moneyline (ML): Cubs +104 (bet $100 to win $104) | Guardians -122 (bet $122 to win $100)
• Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Cubs -1.5 (+164) | Guardians +1.5 (-200)
• Over/Under (O/U): 8.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)

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Cubs at Guardians picks and predictions

Prediction

Cubs 6, Guardians 4

Moneyline

The CUBS (+104) are a solid play at plus-money as the short ‘dogs on the road in Game 2 of this series.

The reasoning for backing the road team is pitching. Assad has been solid, yet unspectacular, eating up innings for the Cubs, while posting rather consistent numbers.

Boyd, on the other hand, is a wild card. He is coming back from a major injury, and making his team and season debut. As a result, playing the Guardians (-122) is a risky play.

Run line/Against the spread

If you’re a little more on the adventurous side, forget about the moneyline, and play CUBS -1.5 (+164) for a much better payday.

The Cubs offense has been producing, going for 33 runs in the past 5 games, or 6.6 runs per game (RPG). Chicago should have a field day against the southpaw Boyd, who could be a little rusty, and won’t go terribly deep into the game, either.

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Over/Under

OVER 8.5 (-105) is worth a look.

Again, the Cubs have averaged 6.6 RPG in the past 5 outings, while the pitching staff has allowed 5.7 RPG in the past 3 outings. The Over is on a 4-1 run in the past 5 games for the Cubs, while going 8-3 across the previous 11 contests.

For the Guardians, the Over is on a 2-1-1 run in the past 4 outings, while going 8-2-2 across the past 12 contests.

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The Chicago Cubs (59-60) and Cleveland Guardians (69-49) begin a 3-game interleague series Monday. First pitch from Progressive Field is set for 6:40 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s lines around the Cubs vs. Guardians odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.

Season series: First meeting; Guardians won 2-1 in 2023

The Guardians dropped the 1st 2 games in the Twin Cities, letting Minnesota shave Cleveland’s lead in the AL Central to just 1 1/2 games. However, the Guardians restored order, winning the final 2 games to gain the 4-game split, leaving with the same 3 1/2-game lead they entered the series with.

Cleveland had lost 7 in a row, but it has now won 2 in a row. It returns home where it has dropped 5 straight games, with the Over going 6-1 in the past 7 at Progressive Field.

The Cubs swept a 2-game interleague series with the crosstown rival Chicago White Sox, and the Cubbies have now won 4 in a row, all against AL Central Division opponents. Since July 31, the Cubs are a solid 8-2, while the Over is 7-3 in those 10 outings.

Cubs at Guardians projected starters

LHP Shota Imanaga vs. RHP Ben Lively

Imanaga (9-2, 3.06 ERA) makes his 22nd start. He has a 1.05 WHIP, 1.3 BB/9 and 9.3 K/9 in 123 1/3 IP.

• Last start: Win, 7 IP, 2 ER, 2 H (1 HR), 1 BB, 10 K in 7-3 home victory vs. Minnesota Twins last Tuesday
• 2024 road splits: 5-1, 2.75 ERA (52 1/3 IP, 16 ER), 1.18 WHIP, .246 opponents’ batting average (OBA), 12 BB, 46 K in 9 starts
• Has never faced Guardians

Lively (10-7, 3.59 ERA) makes his 21st start. He has a 1.17 WHIP, 2.8 BB/9 and 7.5 K/9 in 110 1/3 IP.

• Last start: Loss, 5 IP, 4 ER, 4 H, 4 BB, 2 K in 7-3 home setback vs. Arizona Diamondbacks Wednesday

• 2024 home splits: 6-2, 3.14 ERA (51 2/3 IP, 18 ER), 8 HR, 1.10 WHIP, .226 OBA, 14 BB, 41 K in 9 starts
• Career vs. Cubs: 0-2, 19.00 ERA (9 IP, 19 ER), 2.44 WHIP, 8 HR, 4 BB, 10 K in 2 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 Guardians odds

Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 6:34 a.m. ET.

• Moneyline (ML): Cubs -116 (bet $116 to win $100) | Guardians -102 (bet $102 to win $100)
• Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Cubs -1.5 (+140) | Guardians +1.5 (-170)
• Over/Under (O/U): 8.5 (O: +100 | U: -122)

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Cubs at Guardians picks and predictions

Prediction

Cubs 4, Guardians 3

Moneyline

It’s Shota-Day, and that means the CUBS (-116) are a solid play in this interleague series opener against the Guardians (-102).

Chicago has won the past 5 games started by the rookie southpaw, and the Cubs are 17-4 in his 21 starts so far this season.

The Guardians have gotten tremendous pitching from the journeyman Lively, and this should be a well-pitched game.

Run line/Against the spread

If you’d like a little bit of insurance, and you want to back the home side on the run line, the GUARDIANS +1.5 (-170) aren’t priced out of line.

Remember, though, Cleveland has dropped the past 5 games at home, and only 1 of those games was a 1-run game, so be careful.

Over/Under

UNDER 8.5 (-122) is a solid play based on Cleveland’s recent power outage on offense. The Guardians are averaging 3.0 runs per game in the past 6 outings, with the Under going 3-1-1 in the past 5 contests.

The Cubs have split the Over-Under in the past 6 games. The Over has cashed in 3 straight starts by Imanaga, mainly due to offensive support. The Cubs have backed him with 21 runs in the 3-game span. The Under actually has a slight 11-10 advantage in the southpaw’s 21 outings to date.

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For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

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