The Minnesota Twins will be taking on the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. WGN will be televising this interleague showdown and the game is scheduled to get underway at 2:20 p.m. ET.
Minnesota Twins vs. Chicago Cubs Odds
The Cubs are 46-35 straight up (SU) and 41-39 against the spread (ATS). They’ve lost 3.9 units for moneyline bettors while earning 2.9 units (ATS). Chicago has covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the total went over in six of those seven. On the other hand, the Twins have gone 35-44 SU this year and are 42-36 ATS. In total, the teams lost 9.2 units for moneyline gamblers, but have gained 3.0 units ATS. Minnesota’s covered the spread only once in its last seven games and the under has hit in three of those seven.
Cubs games have a 35-44-1 over/under record so far in 2018. Minnesota has an over/under record of 36-39-3.
Right-hander Lance Lynn is getting the nod for the visiting Twins. Lynn is 5-6 with a 4.81 ERA and 81 strikeouts. He has yet to face Chicago this year, but he made four starts against the Cubs in 2017, putting together a 0-0 record against them with a 3.66 ERA and 20 strikeouts.
The Cubs will send lefty Jon Lester (10-2, 2.18 ERA) to the mound. Lester has 74 strikeouts and 32 walks to his name, as well as a 1.08 WHIP. Lester did not record a start against the Twins in 2017.
Minnesota’s pitching staff allowed 4.6 runs per game and its starting pitchers own a 4.29 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 8.82 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 4.51, along with a WHIP of 1.34 and a K-per-9 of 9.24.
The Twins offense has slashed .236/.310/.396 on its way to 4.2 runs scored per game in 2018, including 3.7 runs per game over the teams last 10 games and 4.4 per game over the teams last five outings (1-4 SU).
Minnesota’s hitters have been paced by left fielder Eddie Rosario and shortstop Eduardo Escobar, who collectively have blasted 30 home runs. Rosario is slashing .315/.355/.576 with 18 home runs, 52 RBIs and 56 runs scored, while Escobar has a .276 average with 12 homers, 49 RBIs and 36 runs scored.
In the home-team dugout, Chicago’s pitchers have yielded 3.8 runs per game overall in 2018. The clubs starters have a 3.80 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 7.9 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has posted a solid ERA of just 3.13, a WHIP of 1.29 and a K/9 of 9.0.
Chicago’s offense is putting up 5.0 runs per contest, including 6.3 per game over its last 10 games and 9.8 per game over its last five. The team has a slash-line of .379/.443/.589 over its last five games and is 4-1 SU during that stretch.
The Cubs offense has been led by second baseman Javier Baez and left fielder Albert Almora Jr.. Baez is hitting .285/.321/.559 with 16 home runs, 59 RBIs, 51 runs and 13 stolen bases, while Almora Jr.’s line sits at .332/.369/.461 with four homers, 26 RBIs and 44 runs.
The Twins have lost 4.0 units and are 12-10 ATS when facing a lefty starter this season. The over has hit in eight of those games, compared to 13 that’ve gone under against left-handed starting pitchers. On the other hand, the Cubs have lost 8.2 units and are 32-31 ATS when facing a righty starter. The overs hit in 27 of those games, compared to 35 that went under.
Minnesota Twins vs. Chicago Cubs MLB Tip
Predictions: SU Winner – Cubs, ATS Winner – Twins, O/U – OVER
Betting Trends
- Minnesota has logged 11 extra-base hits over its last five contests. Chicago has 22 XBH over its last five.
- The Twins have lost four of their last five games SU.
- Chicago has recorded 27.7 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 games and 38.6 over its last five.
- The Twins have hit nine home runs in their last 10 games, including five over their last five.
