Cardinals vs. Cubs Sunday Prediction
After four games, the St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs each won a game apiece in their five-game series at Wrigley Field this weekend. Which team will win the rubber match when the rivals conclude their series at 2:20 p.m. ET?
Game Snapshot & Odds
909 St. Louis Cardinals (+115) at 910 Chicago Cubs (-135)
Sunday, July 22, 2018
2:20 p.m. ET, Wrigley Field
TV: STL (FSMW); CHC (ABC 7)
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Public Betting Trends
Oddsmakers from online sportsbooks currently list the Cubs as a -135 favorite. As of this writing, 65% 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’ Mikolas allows three earned runs in no-decision
Miles Mikolas yielded three earned runs over four innings Sunday in a no-decision over the Reds. Cardinals interim manager Mike Shildt called for the early hook after Mikolas struggled through a rough top of the fourth inning. St. Louis would then rally to take the lead in the bottom of the fourth and wound up winning the game 6-4. Mikolas had a tremendous first half overall and will now head to Washington, D.C. for the All-Star festivities.
Cubs’ Quintana sharp in six scoreless innings vs. Giants
Jose Quintana allowed just three hits and two walks with five strikeouts over six scoreless innings in a road victory against the Giants on Tuesday. The southpaw threw 54 of his 86 pitches for strikes, helping him win back-to-back starts for just the second time this season. He also has consecutive quality starts for the first time since a three-start streak with three or fewer earned runs and six or more innings pitched from Aug. 30-Sept. 12 of last season. He’ll enter the second half with an 8-6 record, 3.96 ERA and 1.37 WHIP.
MLB Betting Trends
St. Louis
The Cardinals have won four of Mikolas’ last five starts and are 6-1 in his last seven road outings.
Chicago
The Cubs have won six of Quintana’s last eight starts and are 10-3 in his last 13 outings versus the rest of the National League Central.
Prediction:
Mikolas came out of nowhere to be named to the MLB All-Star Game this season and has been sensational for the Cardinals all season. As the trends above indicate, the Cards have won often when he starts and I don’t expect a regression any time soon. The Cards have also played with more life since the firing of Mike Matheny and interim manager Mike Shildt has already proven to be light-years better than his predecessor when it comes to make shrewd moves in-game. I’m taking a flier on the dog here.
The Pick: St. Louis Cardinals +115