The St. Louis Cardinals are trying to avoid losing their fourth in a row as they play host to the Chicago Cubs at Busch Stadium. The matchup can be viewed across the country on Fox and the game gets underway 8:15 p.m. ET.
Chicago Cubs at St. Louis Cardinals Odds
Chicago (-110) is entering this game as the favorite against St. Louis (+100) and Vegas has the Over/Under for this night game at 8 runs (+100 for the over and -120 for the under). Runline odds sit at +135 for taking the Cubs -1.5 runs and -155 for the Cardinals +1.5 runs.
The Cardinals are 36-31 straight up (SU) and 31-35 against the spread (ATS). The team has lost 4.5 units for moneyline bettors and 4.1 units (ATS). The Cubs have gone 39-27 SU this year and are 33-32 ATS. Overall, the team’s lost 2.3 units for moneyline gamblers, but have gained 1.7 units ATS.
St. Louis games have had an over/under record of 25-37-4 so far in 2018. Chicago has also been a good under bet with a total record of 26-38-1.
Kyle Hendricks will get the nod for Chicago. The right-handed Hendricks (4-6, 3.48 ERA) has recorded 61 strikeouts in 77.2 innings so far. This is his first outing against St. Louis this year. He made three starts against the Cardinals in 2017, posting a 1-0 record against them with a 2.70 ERA and 17 strikeouts.
The Cardinals are turning to righty Carlos Martinez (3-3, 2.50 ERA), who has 57 punchouts and 34 walks to his name as well as a WHIP of 1.28. Martinez made five starts against the team in 2017, posting a 1-1 record in 2017, putting together a 1-1 record with a 4.25 ERA and 31 strikeouts.
St. Louis’ pitching staff has given up 4.1 runs per game overall in 2018 as a unit. The team’s starting pitching staff has an ERA of 3.27, a WHIP of 1.21 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 8.0. The bullpen has a 4.45 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 8.8 K/9. In 35 games against divisional foes, Cardinals starters have an ERA of 3.42 and the bullpen’s ERA is 4.30.
The St. Louis hitters are putting up 4.3 runs per contest, including 4.7 per game against divisional foes and 3.4 per game over their last five. The team has hit .268/.301/.405 over its last five games and is 1-4 SU during that stretch.
The Cardinals’ hitters have been led by Jose Martinez, who is slashing .321/.389/.517 with 10 home runs, 42 RBIs and 32 runs scored.
In the other dugout, Chicago’s pitching staff allowed 3.5 runs per game and its starters own a 3.50 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 8.10 K/9. The bullpen has an outstanding ERA of just 2.71, along with a WHIP of 1.27.
Cubs hitters have slashed .260/.343/.420 on their way to 5.0 runs scored per game in 2018, including 4.5 runs per game against divisional foes and 4.2 per game over the team’s last five contests (2-3 SU).
Kris Bryant has led Chicago’s offense. Bryant is slashing .285/.391/.494 with nine home runs, 33 RBIs and 37 runs scored.
The Cubs are looking for another victory after a 13-5 win in the prior game of this series.
Chicago Cubs at St. Louis Cardinals MLB Tip
Predictions: SU Winner – Cardinals, ATS Winner – Cardinals, O/U – OVER
Betting Trends
- The under has hit in five of St. Louis’ last seven games.
- The Cubs have hit seven home runs in their last 10 games, including four over their last five.
- Chicago has averaged 18.0 runs + hits + errors over its last 10 games and 18.6 over its last five.
- The Cardinals have dropped four of their last five games SU.
