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

The St. Louis Cardinals (56-53) and Chicago Cubs (53-58) face off Friday in game 2 of a 4-game series. First pitch from Wrigley Field is set for 2:20 p.m. ET (MLB Network). 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 6-4

Chicago came away with a 5-4 series-opening win as a -111 home favorite Thursday. The Cubs scored 3 in the bottom of the 9th, capped by a walk-off RBI double from PH Mike Tauchman to complete the comeback.

St. Louis closer Ryan Helsley, who started the bottom of the 9th, took the loss. He allowed a 1-out solo homer to DH Cody Bellinger, a 2-out single to 2B Nico Hoerner followed by a stolen base, SS Dansby Swanson’s RBI double and Tauchman’s game-ending RBI double.

Thursday’s loss ended a 2-game win streak for the Cardinals, while the Cubs have won 2 in a row.

Cardinals at Cubs projected starters

RHP Erick Fedde vs. RHP Javier Assad

Fedde makes his 1st start for St. Louis after being acquired in a trade from the Chicago White Sox. The UNLV product was 7-4 with a 3.11 ERA (121 2/3 IP, 42 ER), 1.14 WHIP, 2.5 BB/9 and 8.0 K/9 in 21 starts for the ChiSox.

• Last start: Loss, 4 IP, 3 ER, 6 H, 2 BB, 4 K in 6-3 home setback vs. Seattle Mariners Saturday
• Career vs. Cubs: 0-0, 5.51 ERA (16 1/3 IP, 10 ER), 18 H, 5 HR, 5 BB, 22 K in 3 starts
• 2024 vs. Cubs: 1 start, no-decision, 5 IP, 3 ER, 6 H, 0 BB, 7 K in 7-6 walk-off loss at Wrigley June 5

Assad (5-3, 3.23 ERA) makes his 20th start. He has a 1.35 WHIP, 4.0 BB/9 and 8.2 K/9 through 94 2/3 innings.

• Last start: Win, 6 IP, 3 ER, 5 H, 1 BB, 5 K in 7-3 victory at Kansas City Royals Sunday
• Career vs. Cardinals: 0-2, 3.80 ERA (23 2/3 IP, 10 ER), 24 H, 14 BB, 20 K across 3 starts and 5 relief appearances
• 2024 vs. Cardinals: 0-1, 8.59 ERA (7 1/3 IP, 7 ER), 12 H, 4 HR, 5 BB, 8 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.

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 Friday at 4:05 a.m. ET.

• Moneyline (ML): Cardinals -112 (bet $112 to win $100) | Cubs -104 (bet $104 to win $100)
• Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Cardinals -1.5 (+150) | Cubs +1.5 (-182)
• Over/Under (O/U): 7.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

Cardinals at Cubs picks and predictions

Prediction

Cardinals 6, Cubs 5

LEAN CARDINALS (-112).

St. Louis was 2-1 in its last 3 matchups vs. the Cubs in Chicago prior to Thursday’s late-game choke. In a game with the margins as tight as this one, that advantage coupled with the fact that the Cards are 6-4 in their last 10 vs. the Cubs is enough to make me lean toward St. Louis.

Fedde is also a slightly better pitcher than Assad, furthering the Cardinals’ edge.

This is an extremely risky bet as these teams have played each other very tightly recently and as I do not see either team having a major advantage entering this matchup.

PASS.

I like the Cubs to cover here as +1.5 (-182) underdogs as 5 of the last 10 matchups between these squads have come down to a 1-run finish, but the line is set too heavy to risk betting on. Bet on the moneyline and/or total instead.

BET OVER 7.5 (-110).

The Over has hit in each of St. Louis’ last 4 games and is 6-1 in its last 7.

For Chicago, the Over is 2-0 in its last 2 games and 4-2 in its last 6.

The Over has also hit in each of the last 4 St. Louis-Chicago matchups.

Be aware that the Under is 6-4 in Chicago’s last 10 overall.

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