St. Louis Cardinals vs. Chicago Cubs, 7/20/2018 Prediction & Odds

Cardinals vs. Cubs Friday Prediction

The Chicago Cubs opened the second half of their season with a 9-6 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals. Will they also take Game 2 when they host their biggest rival at 2:20 p.m.  ET on Friday?

Game Snapshot & Odds

901 St. Louis Cardinals (+128) at 902 Chicago Cubs (-138)

Friday, July 20, 2018

2:20 p.m. ET, Wrigley Field

TV: STL (FSMW); CHC (CSNC)

Compare odds and from multiple different online sportsbooks and shop for the best lines at our new Baseball Odds & Betting Page.

Public Betting Trends

Oddsmakers from online sportsbooks currently list the Cubs as a -138 favorite. As of this writing, 79% 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' Flathery holds Reds scoreless over five innings

Jack Flaherty shut out the Reds over five innings but settled for a no-decision Saturday. Flaherty scattered two hits and three walks while striking out five before the second rain delay of the game ended his night prematurely. And although he left with the lead, it also might have cost him a win, as the Cardinals bullpen fell apart after his exit. The 22-year-old finishes an up-and-down first half with a 3.24 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 87/24 K/BB ratio over 75 innings spanning 14 starts. He'll pick back up next week after the All-Star break.

Cubs' Lester defeats Padres to earn 12th win

Jon Lester picked up his 12th victory of the season on Sunday, limiting the Padres to three runs on six hits over 5 1/3 innings. The All-Star left-hander racked up seven strikeouts on the afternoon while issuing three free passes. After keeping the Padres off the board for the first three innings, Christian Villanueva tagged him for a solo homer in the fourth. Lester than ran into trouble in the sixth, hitting Freddy Galvis to force in a run with the bases loaded before departing. Lester wraps up the first half tied with Aaron Nola and Max Scherzer for the National League lead with 12 victories to go along with his 2.58 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 88/41 K/BB ratio across 111 2/3 innings.

MLB Betting Trends

St. Louis

Following their loss on Thursday night, the Cardinals are now 1-7 in their last seven games played at Wrigley Field.

Chicago

The Cubs have won 13 of their last 15 games overall.

Prediction:

Might as well ride the hot hand with Chicago. The Cubs are 5-0 in Lester's last five home starts versus the Cardinals and are 5-1 in his last six outings versus St. Louis overall. The Cubs are also 40-13 in Lester's last 53 home starts, are 51-21 in his last 72 outings overall, and are 47-23 in their last 70 home games. The Cardinals, meanwhile, are 0-5 in Flathery's last five starts and are just 1-6 in his last seven road outings.

 

The Pick: Chicago Cubs -138