Chicago Cubs vs. St. Louis Cardinals Prediction, Preview, Picks & Odds - 6/24/2022

by Chuck Sommers

Thursday, Jun 23, 2022
Time: 8:15 p.m. ET
Venue: Busch Stadium, St. Louis, MO
Where to watch: Apple TV+

Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks


DraftKings: Cardinals -150, Cubs +130
BetMGM: NL
Caesars: NL

Season record (entering Thursday)
Cubs: 26-43
Cardinals: 40-31

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Cubs - Cardinals preview and analysis


I suppose better late than never that the Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals have found ways to show up during their respective series’. At least for the Cardinals, maybe not so much for the Cubs, but the Cardinals showed they were prepared to at least show up for at least two wins out of four against the Milwaukee Brewers.

But with the long-standing rivals ready to face off for a three-game set in St. Louis starting on Friday, it hasn’t been a fun week for either of these teams. The Cardinals have found a way to make it fun as of late because of two straight wins over Milwaukee to regain first place in the National League Central. The Cubs, meanwhile, remembered how to beat the Pittsburgh Pirates by winning 14-5. Both teams will close out their respective series’ on Thursday before this set begins at Busch Stadium.

And as expected, though it doesn’t happen often, Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado went yard in the same game. Goldschmidt went deep in the first for a 2-0 lead, and Arenado’s two-run shot in the sixth was the eventual game-winner to give the Cardinals a 5-4 win over the Brewers. That was building off the 6-2 win on Tuesday.

"It was pretty cool that we both finally hit homers in the same game," Arenado said. "I feel like it never happens."

It was one of those games where Adam Wainwright wasn’t at his best, but the 41-year-old kept the Brewers to just four runs while the bullpen came in and did the rest. Wainwright went just 4.2 innings but found a way to strike out seven. Arenado and Juan Yepez both had two hits and did more than enough to get past Eric Lauer (6 IP, 5 ER, 5 K).

"There's some incredible arms down there," Cardinals starter Adam Wainwright said of the St. Louis Bullpen, who combined to throw 4.1 innings of scoreless ball with Ryan Helsley and Giovanny Gallegos doing damage. "We like our spot when we get to them."

The Cubs haven’t been able to fully capitalize off winning two of three over the Atlanta Braves this weekend, putting an end to their 14-game winning streak in the process. They started this Pittsburgh series with 12-1 and 7-1 losses, but nearly made up for all of that with a 14-5 win on Wednesday.

Alfonso Rivas hit a ninth-inning grand slam to make it a 14-1 game – the first baseman had five RBI on the night – and Patrick Wsidom also went yard by having three RBI and two hits. Keegan Thompson, who lost his last two starts, went six innings and struck out seven for his first win in three starts.

"Just trying to see something up in the zone," Cubs center fielder Ian Happ said after he, too, also hit a homer. "I got a good pitch to hit there and was able to capitalize. ... You need some of those little confidence boosts and then try to ride that out."

It’s going to be a lopsided pitching matchup when everyone gets to St. Louis. Kyle Hendricks, now at a 5.43 ERA, will take the mound for the Cubs while taking on rookie right-hander Andre Pallante. The latter is 2-2 with a 1.69 ERA this season.

Prediction


I think it’s fairly easy science to pick who wins this one. I’ve tried trusting Hendricks to this point, but I’ve somehow failed each time. No longer with this ridiculousness. St. Louis in a rout. Cardinals win 9-2

Betting trends


Cubs are 1-7 on Friday games this season, 16-28 the past three seasons.

Cubs are 25-44 as underdog between +125 and +175 the past three seasons.

Cardinals are 15-4 this season when line is between -100 and -150.

Cardinals are 10-3 as home favorite between -125 and -175 this season.

Projected lineup


Cubs:
Christopher Morel (R) CF
Willson Contreras (R) C
Ian Happ (S) LF
Patrick Wisdom (R) 3B
Yan Gomes (R) DH
Jonathan Villar (S) 2B
Nico Hoerner (R) SS
Nelson Velazquez (R) RF
P.J. Higgins (R) 1B
SP - Kyle Hendricks

Cardinals:
Tommy Edman (S) SS
Dylan Carlson (S) RF
Paul Goldschmidt (R) DH
Nolan Arenado (R) 3B
Juan Yepez (R) LF
Albert Pujols (R) 1B
Nolan Gorman (L) 2B
Harrison Bader (R) CF
Andrew Knizner (R) C
SP - Andre Pallante

Statistical leaders


Cubs:
Batting average: Ian Happ -- .291
Home runs: Patrick Wisdom -- 14
RBI: Patrick Wisdom
Wins: Keegan Thompson -- 7
ERA: Keegan Thompson -- 3.10

Cardinals:
Batting average: Paul Goldschmidt -- .339 
Home runs: Paul Goldschmidt -- 17
RBI: Paul Goldschmidt -- 60
Wins: Miles Mikolas -- 5
ERA: Miles Mikolas -- 2.64

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Chuck Sommers

About the Author:

Chuck Sommers has camped outside of sportsbooks since he can remember, learning the tricks and nuances of the trade. He still has nightmares of betting $5,000 on the Raiders in the Tuck Rule game but has since turned that to 25 years of veteran handicapping greatness. You can find him mostly in the shadows at the Red Rock or Aliante casinos wondering if the over is cashing on any given Sunday.

All photographic images used for editorial content have been licensed from the Associated Press.

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