TOM'S MLB GRAND SLAM DIAMOND BLOWOUT
- Handicapper
- Tom Stryker
- League
- MLB
- Competition
- Chicago Cubs vs St. Louis Cardinals
- Release Date
- 08/09/2025 10:19 AM
- Event Date
- 08/09/2025 07:15 PM
- Bet Type
- Moneyline
- Pick
-
Chicago Cubs -107
(BetOnline)
- Outcome
- Win
- Analysis
- #961 CUBS with Rea (-) over Cardinals with Pallante at 7:15 PM EST
Off last night's crushing 5-0 road loss to the Redbirds and with division blemishes in three of their last four games, the Cubs will be sure to go for the jugular when they battle the Cardinals in this critical NL Central contest. Chicago is now sitting 5.0-games back in the division and manager Craig Counsell and his crew need to close that gap as quickly as possible.
Picking up the pill for the visitors will be right-hander Colin Rea. In 2025, No. 53 has appeared in 23 games (19 starts) and been touched for 52 earned runs and 117 hits in 110.2 innings of work. Colin struck out 79 and walked 29 on his way to a 8-5 record with a 4.23 ERA. Even better, in his last seven performances, Rea has surrendered only 16 earned runs and 34 hits in 37.1 frames. That shakes down to a 4-2 mark with a strong 3.86 ERA.
Young righty Andre Pallante will get the nod for the home squad. With 22 official starts completed, No. 53 has been zapped for 62 earned runs and 121 hits in 122.0 innings. Andre whiffed 80 and walked 40 on his way to a 6-8 record with a 4.57 ERA. Even worse, in his last five outings, Pallante has been pounded for 19 earned runs and 31 hits in 27.2 frames. That equates to a 1-4 mark with a weak 6.18 ERA.
There are several quality trends that support this wager. Chicago has tasted victory in 50 of its last 81 when facing a right-handed starter, 18 of its last 32 when facing a division foe, 34 of its last 48 when coming off a loss, and 30 of its last 57 on the road (tied for the second-best record in MLB). On the other side of Busch Stadium, St. Louis hasn't won three straight games since it swept Cleveland at home (June 27 to June 29).
The Cubs need to pick up the pace in the division and they've bounced back nicely all season long off a loss. Take Chicago with Rea. Thanks and best of luck, Tom.
