by Rod Pearson
Friday, Jul 21, 2023
Game Time: 2:20 pm ET, Saturday, July 22, 2023
Venue: Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL
Where to Watch: MARQ
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Moneyline odds: Cardinals -110, Cubs -110; Over/Under: 9.5 runs
Bet365: Moneyline odds: Cardinals -110, Cubs -110; Over/Under: 9.5 runs
BetMGM: Moneyline odds: Cardinals -110, Cubs -110; Over/Under: 9.5 runs
Season Record
St Louis Cardinals: 44-53 (4th place, NL Central)
Chicago Cubs: 45-51 (3rd place, NL Central)
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Recent Form
St Louis Cardinals: 8-2 last 10
Chicago Cubs: 5-5 last 10
St Louis Cardinals vs Chicago Cubs Preview and Analysis
The Cardinals are entering this series on a 5 game winning streak and completed the sweep 3-0 in their 3-game series against the Miami Marlins in their last series. They enter this game with a 44-53 record overall and have a road record of 22-27. This is the 3rd game of a 4-game series with the Cubs on Saturday with the 2nd game of this series still to be played on Friday. They also won the series opener of this series on Thursday. Their offense ranks 6th in the MLB with a .764 OPS. Jack Flaherty is their starting pitcher on Friday while Miles Mikolas is making his start in this game on Saturday. He is 6-5 with a 4.14 ERA this season. His team won 2 of their last 3 games this season with him making an appearance. In his last MLB regular season start, he allowed 3 ER, 2 HR, and 0 BB with 3 Ks on 7 hits through 6 IP against the Miami Marlins.
The Cubs are entering this series on a 2 game winning streak and won their 3-game series against the Washington Nationals 2-1 in their last series. They enter this game with a 45-51 record overall and have a home record of 24-26. This is the 3rd game of a 4-game series with the Cardinals on Saturday with the 1st game of this series still to be played on Friday. They also lost the 1st game of this series on Thursday. Their offense ranks 13th in the MLB with a .732 OPS. Justin Steele is their starting pitcher on Friday while Drew Smyly is making his start in this game on Saturday. He is 7-7 with a 4.50 ERA this season. His team lost their last 4 straight games this season with him making an appearance. In his last MLB regular season start, he allowed 5 earned runs, 1 homer, and 1 BB with 7 strikeouts on 8 hits through 6 innings played against the Washington Nationals.
Cardinals vs Cubs Prediction
The current betting odds have the Cardinals listed as a pick 'em in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Cardinals have been having a terrible season this year but they have been playing a lot better in their games lately and their offense has been something that they have been able to lean on all season too. The Cubs haven't been any better this year with a losing record too and lately their pitching hasn't been very good either. They have Smyly starting in this game and he has been terrible in his starts lately, giving up a ton of runs which will be troublesome here with the Cardinals offense playing so well. The Cardinals also have Mikolas on the mound here and he has been really good in his starts lately as he hasn't been giving up many runs, including a start against the Cubs earlier this season. The Cardinals have the better pitching matchup here with the way Smyly has been pitching for the Cubs lately and the Cardinals also have the better offense that will take advantage of the scoring opportunities they get here. The best way to place a bet here is on the Cardinals to win this game.
Cardinals Cubs Prediction: Our MLB Pick for Saturday, July 22, 2023 (2:20 pm ET start time) is Cardinals 8 Cubs 4.
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MLB Betting Trends
St Louis Cardinals: 44-53 (-21.2 units) on the moneyline in all games. 15-25 (-16.9 units) on the moneyline when the total is 8 to 8.5. 25-16 OVER after a win. 26-18 OVER after 2 straight games where they committed no errors.
Chicago Cubs: 21-18 (+4.3 units) on the moneyline when the total is 8 to 8.5. 59-35 (+7.8 units) on the moneyline as a favorite of -125 to -175. 11-4 OVER as a home favorite of -125 to -175. 28-19 OVER in home games.
Key Injuries
St Louis Cardinals: B. Donovan (2B) Early Aug - Arm. D. VerHagen (RP) Early Aug - Hip. A. Wainwright (SP) Early Aug - Shoulder. T. Edman (SS) Late July - Wrist. J. Woodford (RP) Late July - Shoulder. R. Helsley (RP) Late July - Forearm. P. Naughton (SP) out for season - Forearm. W. Rodriguez (RP) out for season - Shoulder.
Chicago Cubs: N. Madrigal (2B) Late July - Hamstring. D. Swanson (SS) Late July - Heel. B. Boxberger (RP) Late July - Forearm. B. Hughes (RP) out for season - Knee. A. Sampson (SP) Late July - Knee. C. Heuer (RP) out for season - Elbow. N. Burdi (RP) Late July - Appendix. E. Roberts (RP) out for season - Elbow.
Notable Quotes
“It’s fun seeing our guys run the bases and our offense continuing to do what they’re doing. It’s a lot of fun to watch.” - Oliver Marmol after his team’s win against the Cubs in their game on Thursday.
“Just one of those games where you feel everything kind of works against you. I felt like nothing could go my way and I couldn’t get into a rhythm at any point.” - Marcus Stroman after their loss against the Cardinals in their game on Thursday.
Starting Lineups
St Louis Cardinals
Dylan Carlson (S) CF
Paul Goldschmidt (R) 1B
Nolan Arenado (R) 3B
Willson Contreras (R) DH
Tyler O'Neill (R) LF
Jordan Walker (R) RF
Paul DeJong (R) SS
Andrew Knizner (R) C
Jose Fermin (R) 2B
Chicago Cubs
Mike Tauchman (L) CF
Nico Hoerner (R) SS
Ian Happ (S) LF
Cody Bellinger (L) 1B
Seiya Suzuki (R) RF
Christopher Morel (R) 2B
Yan Gomes (R) DH
Miles Mastrobuoni (L) 3B
Miguel Amaya (R) C
Statistical Leaders
St Louis Cardinals
Batting Average: Ivan Herrera (.389)
Hits: Paul Goldschmidt (106)
Home Runs: Nolan Arenado (21)
RBI: Nolan Arenado (74)
Stolen Bases: Tommy Edman (14)
Wins: Jack Flaherty (7)
Saves: Giovanny Gallegos (8)
ERA: Packy Naughton (0.00)
Chicago Cubs
Batting Average: Cody Bellinger (.310)
Hits: Nico Hoerner (101)
Home Runs: Patrick Wisdom (17)
RBI: Nico Hoerner (54)
Stolen Bases: Nico Hoerner (21)
Wins: Marcus Stroman (10)
Saves: Adbert Alzolay (7)
ERA: Anthony Kay (1.13)
Managers:
St Louis Cardinals: Oliver Marmol (2nd season)
Chicago Cubs: David Ross (4th season)
Rod Pearson
About the Author:
Rod Pearson has been a rabid sports fan his entire life. He grew up in Ontario, and was skilled in both hockey and baseball, and pitched in an elite baseball league for many years. In 2022, Rod decided to hang up his glove, so that he could write about the sports he loves -- but from a gambling perspective. Join Rod every day as he breaks down the games to find the best betting value.
