Cubs vs. Cardinals Friday Prediction
After meeting just one week ago, the Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals will play yet another weekend series, this time at Busch Stadium. Will the Cubs pull off the small upset tonight at 8:15 p.m. ET?
Game Snapshot & Odds
959 Chicago Cubs (+103) at 960 St. Louis Cardinals (-113); 8.5 runs
Friday, July 27, 2018
8:15 p.m. ET, Busch Stadium
TV: CHC (CSNC); STL (FSMW)
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Public Betting Trends
Oddsmakers from online sportsbooks currently list the Cardinals as a -113 favorite. As of this writing, 57% 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.
Cubs’ Montgomery limits Cardinals to solitary run
Mike Montgomery allowed one run on five hits over six innings while taking a no-decision in Saturday’s loss to the Cardinals in the second game of a doubleheader. Montgomery managed three strikeouts against two walks in the no-decision. The lone run which he surrendered came in the first inning, when Paul DeJong lofted a sacrifice fly off the southpaw. All zeros the rest of the way. Despite the strong effort, this would ultimately be a game decided by the two bullpens and Montgomery did not factor in the decision. He’ll try to come out with a win when he hits the road with his 3.73 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 51/27 K/BB ratio (82 innings) for a date with these same Cardinals next time out.
Cardinals’ Weaver hit hard in loss to Cubs in last start
Luke Weaver was hit hard in Saturday’s loss to the Cubs, giving up three runs on seven hits in his four-plus innings of work. The right-hander struggled badly with his command, issuing five walks, while striking out only two. He gave up one run in the first inning, after Anthony Rizzo blasted a leadoff triple and scored on a ground ball. Then Weaver settled in and kept the Cubs at bay until the fifth, where they strung together three straight singles to lead off the inning and chase him from the game. He’ll carry an underwhelming 4.79 ERA and 1.38 WHIP into a rematch against these Cubs at home next start.
MLB Betting Trends
Chicago
The Cubs are just 1-4 in Montgomery’s last five starts.
St. Louis
The Cardinals are 11-5 in Weaver’s last 16 starts versus the rest National League Central.
Prediction:
I’m a little surprised that the Cubs are an underdog tonight, although we’re splitting hairs since they’re only getting +103 on the money line. Nevertheless, the Cardinals are 1-4 in Weaver’s last five home starts and 2-5 in his last seven outings when their opponent allows five runs or more in their previous game. The Cubs, meanwhile, are 17-7 in their last 24 games overall, have won five of their last seven divisional games, and are 6-1 in Montgomery’s last seven starts during Game 1 of a series.
The Pick: Chicago Cubs +103