The St. Louis Cardinals are preparing to take the field against their divisional rival Chicago Cubs. The first pitch is scheduled for 2:20 p.m. ET and the action will be shown on WLS and FSMW.

St. Louis Cardinals vs. Chicago Cubs Odds

The Cardinals have gone 86-67 SU this year and are 80-72 against the spread (ATS). They’ve accumulated 4.2 units for moneyline bettors and 5.8 units ATS. The Cubs, on the other hand, are 82-71 SU and 73-79 ATS. They’ve lost 4.0 units for moneyline bettors and 5.7 units ATS.

Cubs games have a 69-72-11 over/under record in 2019. The Cardinals have been a great under bet with a total record of 60-80-12.

Right-hander Michael Wacha is getting the start for the visiting Cardinals. Wacha is 6-7 with a 4.76 ERA and 100 strikeouts. He’s 0-0 with four strikeouts and a 7.20 ERA against Chicago this year.

The Cubs will put the ball in the right hand of Alec Mills (1-0, 3.42 ERA, 1.18 WHIP), who’s got 27 strikeouts and seven walks this season. Mills hasn’t faced the Cardinals yet this year and did not record a start against them in 2018.

St. Louis’ pitching staff allowed 4.0 runs per game and its starters own a 3.79 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 8.01 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 3.78, along with a WHIP of 1.29.

Cardinals hitters have slashed .246/.323/.414 on their way to 4.7 runs scored per game this season, including 5.1 runs per game against divisional foes and 4.4 per game over the team’s last five contests (3-2 SU).

St. Louis’ hitters have been led by first baseman Paul Goldschmidt and second baseman Kolten Wong. Goldschmidt is hitting .259/.345/.471 with 31 home runs, 89 RBIs and 89 runs scored. Wong has a .285 average with 11 homers, 59 RBIs, 61 runs and 24 stolen bases.

In the home-team dugout, Chicago’s pitching staff has allowed 4.3 runs per game overall in 2019. The club’s starting pitching staff has an ERA of 4.11, a WHIP of 1.30 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 8.9. The bullpen has a 3.87 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 9.0 K/9. In 67 games against NL Central foes, Cubs starters have an ERA of 3.97 and the bullpen’s ERA is 3.99.

The Chicago offense is putting up 5.1 runs per outing, including 5.1 per game against divisional foes and 6.4 per game over its last five. The team has a slash-line of .253/.319/.477 over its last five games and is 2-3 SU during that span.

Third baseman Kris Bryant and shortstop Javier Baez have paced the Cubs’ offense this year. Bryant is hitting .284/.382/.527 with 31 home runs, 77 RBIs and 107 runs scored, and Baez’s line is .281/.316/.532 with 29 homers, 85 RBIs and 89 runs.

The Cubs have gained 3.5 units and are 60-60 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher. The over has hit in 56 of those games, as opposed to 55 that’ve hit the under against righty starters.

St. Louis Cardinals at Chicago Cubs Pick

Predictions: SU Winner – Cubs, ATS Winner – Cardinals, O/U – OVER

Notes

Betting Notes

The over has hit in four of Chicago’s last seven games.

Chicago has posted 26.3 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 outings and 24.0 over its last five.

The Cardinals have hit 16 home runs in their last 10 games. The Cubs have hit 21 over their last 10.

The Cardinals have a total OPS of .736 this season and an OPS of .737 against right-handed pitchers. The Cubs’ OPS sits at .787 overall and .794 versus righties.