At the beginning of the season, expectations were quite low for the Cardinals. Most baseball betting action was on National League Central Division rivals Milwaukee and Chicago. St. Louis did nothing much to change the minds of gamblers in the first half of the season. But the second-half perceptions have changed dramatically. St. Louis has climbed to the top of the NL Central standings with the Cubs and Brewers. Overall the Cardinals have emerged as one of the hottest and most profitable teams on the board. Manager Mike Shildt has earned a full buy-in from his surging Redbirds.
Chicago Cubs vs. St. Louis Cardinals
| Date and Time: | Wednesday, July 31, 2019, 8 p.m. ET |
|---|---|
| Location: | Busch Stadium, St. Louis, Missouri |
| Cubs vs. Cardinals TV Coverage: | ESPN |
Cubs vs. Cardinals Current Form and Overview
Late results have the Cardinals posting eight baseball betting payouts in their last 10 games. St. Louis is 56-48 with only 45 games going over the total. Offensively the Cardinals rank 20th for runs, 23rd for OPS, and 21st for home runs. Pitching has been their salvation. Contrarily the Cubs have lost five of their last six. Chicago is now 55-49 with only 48 games going over the total. MLB metrics have the Cubs ranked 12th for runs, seventh for OPS and eighth for home runs.
Chicago Cubs Starter and Bullpen
Right-hander Kyle Hendricks (7-8, 1.13 WHIP, 3.26 ERA, 100 K, 113.1 IP) is the Cubs probable starter. Chicago has posted six straight sportsbook losses when Hendricks starts. Now the Cubs rank 11th in MLB for bullpen ERA. Of great concern has been the lack of a reliable closer. Pedro Strop (2-4, 9 SV, 6 BLSV, 1.16 WHIP, 5.20 ERA) has disappointed. Steve Cishek (3-5, 7 SV, 3 BLSV, 1.10 WHIP, 3.04 ERA, 43 K, 47.1 IP) has been a little better.
St. Louis Cardinals Starter and Bullpen
Counter to Chicago is Cardinals right-hander Miles Mikolas (7-10, 1.22 WHIP, 4.19 ERA, 87 K, 120.1 IP). St. Louis has won three of his last five baseball betting starts. Correspondingly the Cardinals bullpen ranks sixth-best in MLB. Closer Carlos Martinez (2-1, 10 SV, 1.32 WHIP, 3.62 ERA, 27 K, 27.1 IP) has been a pleasant surprise. Top reliever Jordan Hicks remains on the disabled list.
Chicago Cubs at St. Louis Cardinals vs. Odds
The Cubs are:
- 5-13 in their last 18 away games
- 2-5 under the total in their last 7 road matchups
- 9-4 in their last 13 meetings with the Cardinals
- 2-4 under the total in their last 6 games with St. Louis
The Cardinals are:
- 5-2 in their last 7 games at Busch Stadium
- 2-7 under the total in their last 9 home games
- 9-3 in their last 12 meetings with the Cubs at Busch Stadium
- 1-6 under the total in their last 7 home games against Chicago
Cubs vs. Cardinals Baseball Betting Odd Picks
In this situation, Cardinals first baseman Paul Goldschmidt (65 R, 24 HR, 57 RBI, .808 OPS) could loom large. He is hitting .375 with six home runs in the past week. Additional help could come from shortstop Paul DeJong (68 R, 25 2B, 18 HR, 50 RBI, .805 OPS).
Cubs vs. Cardinals Baseball Betting Odds: St. Louis Cardinals
Cubs vs. Cardinals Baseball Betting Odds Score Prediction: Cardinals 4, Cubs 2
Get Cardinals updates and highlights!