St. Louis Cardinals at Chicago Cubs odds, picks and predictions

The St. Louis Cardinals (56-52) and Chicago Cubs (52-58) begin a 4-game series Thursday. First pitch from Wrigley Field is set for 8:05 p.m (MLB Network). ET. Let’s analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s lines around the Cardinals vs. Cubs odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.

Season series: Cardinals lead 6-3

St. Louis heads to Chicago after going 3-3 on a 6-game homestand. They beat the Rangers 10-1 on Wednesday behind a stellar MLB debut from RHP Michael McGreevy (7 IP, 1 ER, 5 H, 1 BB, 3K). Newly acquired LF Tommy Pham made an impact, going 3-for-4 with a double, 2 RBI and 2 runs scored. The Cardinals are 27-27 on the road and 54-53 against the spread (ATS).

The Cubs routed the Cincinnati Reds 13-4 on Wednesday to end their 6-game road trip at 3-3. Lots of big offensive performances from DH Cody Bellinger (3-for-5 with 2 RBI and 2 runs scored), LF Ian Happ (3-for-4 with a HR and a double) and RF Seiya Suzuki (2 doubles and 3 RBI). Chicago is 27-25 at Wrigley Field and 50-59 ATS.

Cardinals at Cubs projected starters

RHP Sonny Gray vs. LHP Shota Imanaga

Gray (10-6, 3.79 ERA) makes his 20th start. He has a 1.10 WHIP, 2.2 BB/9 and 11.1 K/9 in 111 2/3 IP.

• Last start: No-decision, 5 IP, 5 ER, 7 H, 3 BB, 7 K in 10-8 home loss against Washington Nationals Friday
• 2024 road splits: 4-2, 5.29 ERA (47 2/3 IP, 31 R (28 ER), 1.28 WHIP, 11.3 K/9 in 8 starts
• 2024 vs. Cubs: 1-1, 2.25 ERA, 12 IP, 3 ER, 10 H, 2 BB, 14 K in 2 starts

Imanaga (8-2, 2.95 ERA) makes his 20th start. He has a 1.07 WHIP, 1.4 BB/9 and 9.1 K/9 in 109 2/3 IP.

• Last start: No-decision, 5 2/3 IP, 3 ER, 6 H, 0 BB, 3 K in 9-4 road loss to the Kansas City Royals Saturday
• 2024 road splits: 3-1, 3.14 ERA (57 1/3 IP, 25 R (20 ER), 0.96 WHIP, 10.2 K/9 in 10 starts
• Only start vs. Cardinals: Win, 7 IP, 1 ER, 4 H, 0 BB, 6 K in 5-1 home victory on June 15

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Cardinals at Cubs odds

Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:16 a.m. ET.

• Moneyline (ML): Cardinals -106 (bet $106 to win $100) | Cubs -110 (bet $110 to win $100)
• Run line (RL)/Against the spread: Cardinals -1.5 (+162) | Cubs -1.5 (-196)
• Over/Under (O/U): 8 (O: -106 | U: -114)

Cardinals at Cubs picks and predictions

Prediction

Cubs 4, Cardinals 2

BET CUBS (-106).

I’ve got the Cubs taking the opener of this 4-game set behind Imanaga. He shut down the Cardinals earlier this season at Wrigley. That shouldn’t surprise anyone seeing that St. Louis hits just .227 against left handers. Chicago has a 3.27 team ERA at home.

The month of July was good for the Cubs offense, hitting .244 at a team which was the best of the season. They are also hitting nearly 40 points higher since the All-Star break.

PASS.

I’m going to keep my bet to the moneyline.

My lean is to the Under because of the pitching matchup but when you look at the trends, they all point to the Over. Their last 3 meetings have gone Over. For that reason, I’m going to AVOID this bet.

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