Cardinals vs. Cubs Thursday Pick
Following yet another postponement due to snow, the St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs will attempt to get their game in today at 2:20 p.m. ET. Will the Cardinals pull off a two-game sweep of their National League Central rivals?
Game Snapshot & Odds
949 St. Louis Cardinals (-103) at 950 Chicago Cubs (-107)
Thursday, April 19, 2018
2:20 p.m. ET, Wrigley Field
TV: FSMW (STL); ABC 7 (CHC)
Public Betting Trends
Oddsmakers from online sportsbook YouWager currently list the Cubs as a -107 favorite. As of this writing, 62% of the betting tickets wagered at online sportsbooks are on the Cubs to beat the Cardinals on the money line. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our MLB Public Betting Page for updated figures on this game.
Cardinals’ youngster Weaver already living up to the hype
Luke Weaver was outstanding in Friday’s victory over the Reds, surrendering two runs on four hits over his six-plus innings of work.
The right-hander racked up seven strikeouts on the night while issuing only one free pass. He shut the Reds out through the first six frames, but gave up a single to Scooter Gennett and two-run blast to Devin Mesoraco to begin the seventh. The 24-year-old hurler now sits at 2-0 on the season and will carry an impressive 2.08 ERA and 0.98 WHIP into Thursday’s matchup with the Cubs.
Cubs’ Lester not settling doubts about 2017 issues
Jon Lester let in four runs in five innings and didn’t get a decision against the Pirates on Wednesday.
He notched three strikeouts, walked three and allowed seven hits — including a three-run bomb by veteran platoon bat Sean Rodriguez. Lester fired six shutout innings in his previous start but didn’t have the same form in this one. He now has a 4.40 ERA with 11 strikeouts and seven walks in 14 1/3 innings through three starts this year.
MLB Betting Trends
St. Louis
The Cardinals have lost eight of their last 10 games against the Cubs and are 1-5 in their last six meetings with the Cubs in Chicago.
Chicago
The Cubs are 4-0 in Lester’s last four home starts versus the Cardinals.
Prediction:
When this game was originally scheduled to be played on Wednesday afternoon, the Cubs were -123 money line favorites to beat the Cardinals. Now the two teams are -110 at some online sportsbooks. Perhaps other bettors have the same thought I do: Weaver is a better pitcher right now than Lester, who has been up and down to start 2018. There are a also a lot of holes in this Cubs lineup, from Ian Happ to Jason Heyward to Kyle Schwarber, there are more outs in this batting order than what would appear on paper. I’m backing Weaver and the Cards to get the two-game sweep.
The Pick: St. Louis Cardinals -110