Cardinals vs. Cubs Wednesday Pick
The St. Louis Cardinals have an opportunity to earn a two-game sweep of the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday when the National League Central rivals clash at 2:20 p.m. ET. Will the Cards pull off another upset?
Game Snapshot & Odds
905 St. Louis Cardinals (-105) at 906 Chicago Cubs (-115)
Wednesday, April 18, 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 -115 favorite. As of this writing, 63% of the betting tickets wagered at online sportsbooks are on the Cardinals to beat the Cubs 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 turning heads in 2018
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 a 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 Wednesday’s matchup against the Cubs in Chicago.
Cubs’ Lester off to an inconsistent start to season
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 are still just 3-8 in their last 11 games versus the Cubs despite beating Chicago 5-3 on Tuesday night. The Cards are also 2-5 in their last seven games at Wrigley Field.
Chicago
The Cubs are 6-2 in Lester’s last eight starts versus the Cardinals and are 4-0 in his last four home outings against St. Louis.
Prediction:
I’m going to buck Lester’s trends versus the Cardinals and take St. Louis again today. (Hopefully they’ll eventually receive plus odds but right now they’re -105 at online sports books.) Weaver is pitching better than Lester to start the year and the Cards are hot. They’re 10-2 in Weaver’s last 12 starts, are 7-1 in his last eight outings against the rest of the National League Central and are 6-0 in his last six starts versus a team with a losing record. The Cubs, meanwhile, are 0-7 in their last seven home games versus a right-handed starter.
The Pick: St. Louis Cardinals -105