Certainly, it was difficult for St. Louis to fire manager Mike Matheny. However, everyone agrees the Cardinals had grown stale. After two consecutive years out of the playoffs Matheny had to produce. But a sluggish 48-46 record inspired nobody. Nor did it create baseball odds today hope. As a result, Matheny was gassed in his seventh season at the helm. While manager he led the Cardinals to the 2013 National League pennant. Although this may be true recent seasons have been mired in mediocrity. Mike Shildt was named interim manager. Previously he managed in the Cardinals minor league system.
St. Louis Cardinals vs. Chicago Cubs
Date and Time: Thursday, July 19, 2018, 7:05 p.m. ET
Location: Wrigley Field, Chicago, Illinois.
2018 MLB Betting Odds at SBG:
Cardinals vs. Cubs MLB TV Coverage: ESPN
Lethargic Cards
As mentioned earlier the Cards have looked lethargic. For example, they have lost four of their last six games. Over the total has paid in five of their last six. Away from home the Redbirds are 24-22. Additionally problematic for St. Louis is that Milwaukee is five games up on them. While the first place Cubs are 7.5 games ahead of their rivals. To show the problems confronting this team are medium level metrics. St. Louis ranks 13th in MLB for run production. And 11th for staff earned run average. In addition, they have made the most errors in baseball.
So far so good for the Cubs
On the other hand, it’s been a fine year for the Cubs. For starters they are in the black. What’s more they are 28-15 in baseball odds today home games. Additionally, Chicago has won seven of their last ten games. Presently there are few teams as impressive as the Cubs. To illustrate they rank fourth best for both run production and staff ERA. Supplementing that is a ranking of second for batting average. And an impressive third in MLB for OPS. At Wrigley the Cubs have gone over the total just 18 times.
Chicago Leads over Cards
Chicago has had the better of this online betting series. Consider the Cubs have won 13 out of their last 20 against the Cards. Just eight of those 20 games went over the total. Wrigley Field has been a house of horrors for the Cardinals. For instance, St. Louis has dropped 11 of their last 14 games at the Friendly Confines. Just five of the last 14 in this series at Chicago have gone over.
Names on the Field to Consider
Second baseman Javier Baez has enjoyed a great season for the Cubs. Specifically, Baez is hitting .292 with 19 home runs and 72 RBI. Additionally, he has 25 doubles, 61 runs, and a .892 OPS. Yet he has not acted alone. Left fielder Kyle Schwarber has 18 home runs and 41 RBI with 45 runs scored. And he has an OPS of .873.
Pitcher’s Mound
Right hander Carlos Martinez will get the start for St. Louis. Overall, he is 6-5 with a 3.08 ERA. Alternatively, right hander Kyle Hendricks will start for the Cubs. He is 6-8 with a 3.92 ERA
Matchup to Watch
The Cubs have been baseball odds today Gold at home. What’s more they are in better form.
MLB Betting Odds Picks
Summing up the Cubs are the call in this NL Central showdown.
MLB Betting Online Pick: Chicago Cubs
MLB Betting Online Score Prediction: Cubs 5, Cardinals 2
Follow the Cubs for news, highlights and interviews!