MLB Early 2-Team Package - Wednesday
- Handicapper
- Jim Feist
- League
- MLB
- Competition
- Kansas City Royals vs Chicago Cubs
- Release Date
- 07/23/2025 09:46 AM
- Event Date
- 07/23/2025 02:20 PM
- Bet Type
- Moneyline
- Pick
-
Chicago Cubs -147
(BetOnline)
- Outcome
- Loss
- Analysis
- Kansas City Royals right-hander Seth Lugo (6–5, 2.94 ERA) will take on the Chicago Cubs and right-hander Colin Rea (8-3, 3.80 ERA) at Wrigley Field on Wednesday in a 11:20 AM PT start (2:20 PM ET).
Wednesday’s game brings together two pitchers who have been reliable this season for their teams. Lugo has made at least ten quality starts and has been among Kansas City’s most consistent starters. He can get around on his pitches and has good stuff to do some damage against the Cubs, though he’s probably going to need a lead in the early innings, as the Royals offense has been rather uneven. Chicago’s Rea has been solid for the Cubs this year, too, throwing five starts of five or more innings while allowing only one earned run or fewer.
In terms of offense, Chicago should be much better than Kansas City. Chicago is 60-41 overall and leads the National League Central, and Kansas City sits under .500 at 49–53 and 4th in the AL Central. Chicago has been pretty good at Wrigley, too, with a record of 33-18 at home. They also have success against American League teams this year. Kansas City’s defense has been the highlight of the season so far, especially in the rotation. Lugo, Kris Bubic, Michael Wacha, and a generally reliable bullpen give the Royals a chance. But when the offense has gotten off to a bad start, there’s not much of an answer, and they often have to live or die with the work of Bobby Witt Jr., Vinnie Pasquantino, and Maikel García.
The fact that Lugo is pitching is what gives us a good line to bet on the Cubs. I like Rea a lot here with his 8-3 record. The Cubs have the better offense and they are at home. All the edges lineup on the Cubs side in this one.
Jim's Play: 922. Cubs
