Cardinals vs Cubs Betting Analysis: St. Louis on Roll Heading Into Chicago

The Cardinals vs Cubs betting analysis notes it’s likely going to be too little, too late, but the St. Louis Cardinals are trying to play themselves back into playoff contention. St. Louis has won five straight games to escape the basement of the NL Central. The Cardinals are still 9.5 games out of a playoff spot, but stranger things have happened.

St. Louis visits Chicago to open a four-game series on Thursday and Marcus Stroman and the Cubs are -101 against Steven Matz and St. Louis. The total on the game is 8.5-over (-115/-105) and the Cubs are +165 on the run line.

The Cubs and the Cardinals have been pretty comparable in the hitting department this season. St. Louis is No. 10 in the MLB team stats in batting with a .257 average and the Cardinals are No. 10 in runs scored. The Cubs are No. 16 in team batting with a .250 average and are No. 12 in runs scored.

The Cubs have been a better team on the mound, which is the key reason why they’re ahead of the Cardinals in the baseball standings. Chicago is No. 15 in team ERA with a 4.13, while the Cardinals are No. 24 at 4.52. The Cubs are tied for last with 13 saves in 21 attempts. The Cardinals relievers have let a number of games get away, having 24 saves but 21 blown saves.

The Cubs are 7.0 games back in the MLB wild card standings, while the Cardinals are 9.0 games out. Neither team can afford many more losses down the stretch.

Thursday’s Game

The Cardinals vs Cubs betting analysis shows Matz has some ugly numbers. He brings an 0-7 record into the game to go along with a 4.86 ERA. He’s pitched a little better than his stats suggest and the Cardinals are 4-8 in the games he’s started. Stroman is 10-6 with a 2.88 ERA.

The Cubs are 11-9 when he takes the mound. Chicago has hit left-handers well this year, going 17-12 when facing a southpaw and scoring 5.97 runs per game. The Cubs are 27-38 against right-handers and score 4.26 runs per game. The price on Stroman is cheap, so the Cubs deserve a good look in this one.

Friday’s Game

The Cardinals vs Cubs betting analysis shows Jack Flaherty and Justin Steele as the starting pitchers in this one. Flaherty is 7-5 with a 4.29 ERA. The Cardinals are 12-6 in the games Flaherty has started. Steele is 9-3 with a 2.96 ERA this season.

The Cubs have posted a 10-7 record when Steele starts and two of those victories have been over the Cardinals. St. Louis is 10-13 against left-handed pitchers this season. It’s hard to go against Steele here, although this is the first time he’s faced St. Louis at Wrigley Field this MLB season.

Saturday’s Game

Miles Mikolas is expected to get the start for the Cardinals. The Cubs haven’t officially named their starting pitcher for the game. But it should be Drew Smyly if they stick to their rotation. Mikolas is 6-5 with a 4.14 ERA and the Cardinals have gone 10-10 in the games he’s started this year. He has pitched a little better on the road this season.

The Cubs have gone 9-10 in the games Smyly has started this season. He’s had a rough time his last four starts. The Cubs are 0-4 in those games and have allowed a total of 29 runs. With Smyly struggling, the Cardinals deserve a look in this one.

Sunday’s Game

The Cardinals vs Cubs betting analysis is showing Jordan Montgomery and James Taillon as the starting pitchers in this one. Montgomery hasn’t had an easy time this season despite not pitching poorly. He’s 6-7 with a 3.14 ERA and the Cardinals are 7-12 in the games he’s started. The Cardinals did lose 10 straight games he started earlier this season, but have won four of his last five starts.

The Cardinals vs Cubs game is an intriguing matchup. The Cubs are just 4-12 when Taillon takes the mound. Chicago has won his last two starts, but are just 2-7 when he starts at home and are allowing over 6.0 runs per game. Montgomery looks like his luck is evening out a little bit and the Cardinals are probably the right side in this game.

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