Chicago Cubs vs
St. Louis CardinalsPredictions & Preview

Cubs vs Cardinals: Chicago Favored to Continue Dominance in Thursday Matinee at Busch Stadium

The Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals will face off in a Thursday matinee at Busch Stadium, with first pitch at 2:15 PM EST. The Cubs are coming off a dominant 8-0 win and will look to continue their momentum behind ace pitcher Shota Imanaga. The Cardinals, on the other hand, will rely on Andre Pallante to turn things around at home. With both teams vying for playoff spots and betting implications on the line, this divisional clash is sure to be an exciting matchup. The Cubs are currently favored to win at -135 odds.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Cubs -135 | Cardinals +121
• Spread: Cubs -1.5 (+120) | Cardinals +1.5 (-140)
• Total: Over/Under 9 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Chicago will win straight-up is 57%.

Chicago vs St. Louis Stats

Chicago Cubs

The Chicago Cubs have been a formidable team in baseball, particularly on offense. They rank highly in runs per game, batting average, and OPS, with standout performances from players like Pete Crow-Armstrong, Nico Hoerner, and Kyle Tucker. Their aggressive base running has also been a key strength. On the pitching front, the Cubs have a solid staff ERA and are led by Shota Imanaga's impressive statistics. Defensively, they rank eighth in the league for errors committed. In the standings, they lead the NL Central and have a strong record on the road. While their recent form as favorites has been mixed, their shutout win on Wednesday showcases their potential for dominance when everything comes together. Overall, with a power ranking of 22, the Cubs excel in offense but have room for improvement in defense.

St. Louis Cardinals Analysis

The St. Louis Cardinals are currently sitting at 44-37 and are just a few games back in the division. Offensively, they are solid but not as explosive as Chicago, ranking seventh in runs per game, seventh in batting average, and 14th in OPS. Power is a concern with only 81 home runs and they are not very active on the bases. On the pitching side, the Cardinals have a 3.99 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, and a strong 7.72 K/G. They have a strong defense, committing just 31 errors, and have been decent as underdogs but struggle when the moneyline is +115 or worse. The Cardinals have a 26-16 record at home and are always a threat at Busch Stadium.

Imanaga Shines on the Mound as Cubs Dominate Cardinals with Strong Lineup

Imanaga has demonstrated exceptional performance on the road this season with a 1.19 ERA in four starts, providing the Chicago Cubs with a significant pitching advantage. Additionally, the Cubs boast a more robust and powerful lineup compared to the Cardinals. Chicago has excelled when favored this season, particularly within this odds range, as evidenced by their recent 8-0 victory showcasing their consistent form. On the other hand, the Cardinals’ lineup lacks the same level of potency, and although Pallante has shown some success at home, his overall statistics do not instill the same level of confidence as Imanaga’s. Considering the Cubs’ proficiency in run production and their superior starting pitching, they are the favorable choice in this matchup.

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