Cardinals Slowly Heating Up as Rival Cubs Visit

The suddenly resurgent St. Louis Cardinals open a three-game series against the Chicago Cubs on Friday (8:15 p.m. ET) at Busch Stadium. This is the first of 13 meetings between the MLB National League Central rivals this season.

MLB oddslist Chicago -1.5 (+130) on the run line and -135 on the moneyline, with St. Louis +1.5 (-155) and +114. Meanwhile, the projected total is 7.5 with a slight edge to the Over at -115 odds.

Can the Cubs take care of business? We break down both teams to help you make your Cubs vs Cardinals predictions.

Cubs vs Cardinals Betting Trends

The Chicago Cubs are 25-26 against the run line, including just 2-10 over their last 12 games. They have been a liability for Over/Under bettors, going 21-28-2.

The St. Louis Cardinals, meanwhile, are 25-24 against the run line. As for the Over/Under, they are 23-24-2.

That’s important to remember when making your Cubs vs Cardinals predictions.

Cubs Go South

Chicago has cooled down after a hot start. It is just 9-12 in May (5-16 against the run line), having dropped seven of its last 10 games to fall to 27-24. The Cubs went 2-5 during their recent homestand against Pittsburgh and Atlanta, including a 3-0 loss to the Braves on Thursday in which they managed only three hits.

Projected for 84.5 wins, the Cubs are about where most expected them to be heading into Memorial Day weekend. That said, they’ll need to pick up the pace to keep up with Milwaukee, which is 3.0 games ahead at 28-21.

Chicago has been middle-of-the-pack offensively, ranking 15th in runs and 18th in homers. Some of their most proven hitters — including Cody Bellinger and Ian Happ — have yet to heat up, which has only increased the pressure on some of the lesser-known commodities.

With a minus-1 run differential, more regression could be coming.

Nevertheless, oddsmakers remain bullish of their prospects. The Cubs are +130 favorites to win the National League Central and +1300 to win the pennant, the fourth-best odds behind Los Angeles (+165), Atlanta (+265) and Philadelphia (+380). Milwaukee (+1500) is the only other club with better than 20/1 odds.

Redbirds Trending Up

St. Louis has played better of late, winning eight of its last 10 games to climb back within three games of .500. At 23-26, St. Louis now trails first-place Milwaukee by 5.0 games.

The Cardinals are 5-1 on their current nine-game homestand, including a three-game sweep of Baltimore. Still, they will need to continue playing better to match expectations.

St. Louis’ biggest issue has been the underperformance of its big-name hitters. Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado, both perennial All-Stars, are off to career-worst starts. Each has an OPS under .700, with only 22 extra-base hits (seven home runs) between them.

As a team, the Cardinals rank 28th in runs and 26th in homers. Their minus-43 run differential is third worst in the NL, ahead of the last-place Rockies (-74) and Marlins (-82).

Despite that, oddmakers haven’t given up hope. The Cardinals maintain decent odds (+650) of winning the division and are also +4000 to win the pennant.

This is what we mean when we say, “It’s a beautiful day for baseball.” pic.twitter.com/QBdb4RE1YW

— MLB (@MLB) May 24, 2024

Series Probables

⚾Game 1⚾

• Friday, 8:15 p.m. ET
• Shota Imanaga vs Miles Mikolas

Imanaga, a prized import from Japan, has emerged as one of baseball’s best pitchers. The 30-year-old lefty is 5-0 with a Major League leading 0.84 ERA, having allowed one run or fewer in seven of his first nine starts. He tossed seven shutout innings in his last start, a 1-0 win over Pittsburgh on May 18.

Imanaga’s climbed to +400 for NL Cy Young, second on the odds board behind Philadelphia’s Zack Wheeler (+330).

The Cardinals will counter with Mikolas, who is 3-5 with a 5.77 ERA. Mikolas has been hit particularly hard at home, allowing 14 runs over 20 innings. Home runs (nine allowed) have been a big issue.

Be sure to keep that in mind when making your Cubs vs Cardinals predictions.

⚾Game 2⚾

• Saturday, 7:15 p.m. ET
• Jameson Taillon vs Matthew Liberatore

Taillon has a 2.20 ERA and 1.19 WHIP in six appearances since returning from the injured list on April 19 with a back injury. He’s failed to work five innings in each of his last two starts, losses to Atlanta and Pittsburgh.

He will face Liberatore, who has a 5.40 ERA in 16 appearances (three starts). The 24-year-old southpaw has served as an opener recently, topping out at 70 pitches in his last outing against Boston on May 19.

⚾Game 3⚾

• Sunday, 7 p.m. ET
• TBD vs Sonny Gray

Gray has been St. Louis’ most dependable starter, going 6-2 with a 2.87. He’s won three of his last four starts despite allowing 14 runs (12 earned) across 23.2 innings in May. The three-time All-Star is +2000 to win his first Cy Young, one of 11 pitchers priced 20/1 or better.

The Cubs have yet to name a starter opposite him. Stay tuned for MLB player updates.

For MLB player props, betting analysis and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine

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