St. Louis Cardinals vs. Chicago Cubs, 7/19/2018 Prediction & Odds

Cardinals vs. Cubs Thursday Prediction

The second half of the MLB season kicks off Thursday night from Wrigley Field where the Chicago Cubs will host the St. Louis Cardinals at 7:05 p.m. ET. Are the Cubs a good bet to extend the gap between themselves and their biggest rival?

Game Snapshot & Odds

951 St. Louis Cardinals (+135) at 952 Chicago Cubs (-155)

Monday, July 19, 2018

7:05 p.m. ET, Wrigley Field

TV: ESPN

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Public Betting Trends

Oddsmakers from online sportsbooks currently list the Cubs as a -155 favorite. As of this writing, 72% of the betting tickets wagered at online sportsbooks are on the Cubs to beat the Cardinals on the moneyline. 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' Martinez allows three runs in loss to Reds

Carlos Martinez yielded three runs in five innings Friday in a loss to the Reds. Martinez looked like he was putting it together with wins in his previous three starts, but he had a little setback tonight. The homer he allowed to Scooter Gennett was the first he'd given up in three weeks. He ends the first half 6-5 with a 3.08 ERA.

Cubs' Hendricks holds Padres to two runs in victory

Kyle Hendricks surrendered two runs on five hits over five innings in Saturday's win over the Padres. Hendricks struck out three without walking a batter in the contest. He got the run-scoring damage out of the way early, coughing up a two-run homer to Eric Hosmer in the first inning before tossing up zeros over the next four frames. With this one now belonging to the ages, Hendricks will carry a 3.92 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 81/33 K/BB (110 1/3 innings) into the All-Star break.

MLB Betting Trends

St. Louis

The Cardinals are 1-5 in their last six games coming off a win in their previous contest.

Chicago

The Cubs went into the All-Star Break on a 12-3 run over their last 15 games.

Prediction:

The Cubs are a perfect 5-0 in Hendricks' last five starts versus the Cardinals, who are just 1-6 in their last seven games played at Wrigley Field. Martinez has a habit of starting games messy before settling in but if the Cubs jump him for a couple of runs in early I like their chances of holding on throughout the game. Unfortunately for the Cubs, Joe Maddon won't be able to take advantage of the many blunders by Mike Matheny throughout games because Matheny was fired and repalced by the shrewd Mike Shildt. Nevertheless, I like the Cubs tonight.

 

The Pick: Chicago Cubs -155