Baltimore Orioles vs
Chicago CubsPredictions & Preview

Orioles vs. Cubs: Baltimore Poised for Victory in Interleague Showdown at Wrigley Field

On Sunday, August 3, 2025, the Baltimore Orioles will face off against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois in an interleague showdown. The Cubs won the opener 1-0 and the series will conclude with this game. This preview was written before Saturday's results and provides a prediction for the Orioles vs. Cubs matchup. The game is scheduled to start at 2:20 PM ET. Stay tuned for more MLB picks for Sunday's slate.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Orioles +156 | Cubs -182
• Spread: Orioles +1.5 (-136) | Cubs -1.5 (+115)
• Total: Over/Under 8 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Chicago will win straight-up is 65%.

Baltimore Orioles

Trevor Rogers delivered a strong performance, pitching eight innings of one-run, four-hit ball for the Baltimore Orioles last Friday. Unfortunately, the Orioles couldn't provide any run support, managing just three hits and four walks. This led to their third loss in the last nine games, leaving them 8.5 games behind the bottom wild card in the American League. Despite this setback, the Orioles had won their previous two series against the Colorado Rockies and Toronto Blue Jays, scoring 66 runs while allowing 26 in return over the seven-game stretch. The starting pitcher for Sunday's game was still unknown at the time of writing, as Zach Eflin was on the injured list. The Orioles bullpen has been busy, throwing 28 innings over the last 10 days and posting a record of 2-3 with two saves, a 2.89 ERA, and a 1.21 WHIP.

Chicago Cubs

Last Friday, the Chicago Cubs secured a narrow victory over the Orioles with just four hits. Ian Happ's sacrifice fly in the second inning proved to be the difference maker. The Cubs' pitching staff put on a strong performance, with rookie Cade Horton leading the way by allowing only two hits in five innings. This win marked the Cubs' second consecutive victory and fourth in their last six games. As of Saturday morning, the Cubs were second in the NL Central, trailing the Milwaukee Brewers by just one game. Colin Rea is set to start on Sunday, with an 8-5 record and 4.25 ERA for the season. Despite recent struggles, Rea has a solid track record against the Orioles, limiting them to just 3 hits in 17 at-bats with a home run.

Baltimore Orioles Poised for Victory with Strong Offense and Pitching Strategy

The Baltimore Orioles are experiencing a shortage of pitching options in their minor league system. It is likely that they will consider utilizing a bullpen day strategy, particularly after Trevor Rogers provided substantial relief for the team's relievers during the first game of the current series. The Orioles may have an advantage in the upcoming game due to the recent success of their lineup against right-handed pitchers, with an impressive slash line of .303/.370/.558 and a wRC+ of 156 over the past 10 days. Conversely, Colin Rea, the Cubs' scheduled starter, has encountered difficulties in his previous two outings. Furthermore, the Cubs have exhibited weaker offensive performance against right-handed pitchers compared to the Orioles, as indicated by their wRC+ of 125 against righties and 52 against lefties in recent games. Given the Orioles' offensive capabilities and the Cubs' recent bullpen struggles, a favorable outcome for Baltimore seems probable.

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