Chicago Cubs (27-24) vs. St. Louis Cardinals (23-26)
This upcoming Sunday evening, the Chicago Cubs will face off against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium in a matchup that promises to capture the attention of baseball expert picks enthusiasts. With the Cubs slightly ahead in the standings, both teams are looking to bolster their records as we approach the midpoint of the season. This game, set to be broadcasted nationally on ESPN, is one of the pivotal clashes in the MLB landscape this weekend, highlighting a rivalry that has been intensifying over the years.
The Chicago Cubs come to this game with a batting average of .227, that is proof of an average hitter which had 374 hits and 48 home runs this season. Their overall standing in the team is moderate, however, their pitchers in the field have not compromised in being resilient. The Cubs’ pitching team is rated having an ordinary ERA of 3.74 and a WHIP of 1.28 while setting a record of striking out 438 batters. These numbers paint a clear picture of a strongly defensive mindset but at the same time call for more efficiency on the offense side, to bring these games to wins more frequently.
St. Louis Cardinals has similar statistics in the hitting department having scored 374 hits, but having scored fewer home runs at 41, is the St. Louis Cardinals, although their batting average is slightly higher at .230. The pitching staff of the Cardinals has an ERA of 4.23 and a WHIP of 1.29, can be considered as a bit weaker in comparison to the mentioned Chicago men. However, they have been beginning as underdogs but have of recent been improving and achieving a 4-1 record in the last five games, suggesting the change of destiny in their year’s results.
Chicago Cubs vs. St. Louis Cardinals Game Info
When: | Sunday, May 26, 2024, at 7:10 PM ET |
Where: | Busch Stadium |
TV: | ESPN |
Stream: | MLB.TV |
Javier Assad (4-0 W-L, 1.7 ERA) vs. Sonny Gray (6-2 W-L, 2.87 ERA)
Javier Assad of the Cubs has done a great job this season; he has a 1.7 ERA with 53 innings and 46 strikeouts. That he has been allowing few hits and runs alongside only 20 walks have greatly contributed to the scores the Cub team earns. It is for this reason that Assad’s levels of consistency allied to his control could be what propels him to manage the Cardinals’ batting lineup which at some times has exhibited unpredictable performance at the plate.
On the other side, Sonny Gray for the Cardinals has also kept good statistics of his game with 2.87 ERA and a 1.04 WHIP, which proves that he was good at controlling base runners. It approximates more to what his strikeout average in 47 innings pitched points at 59 strike out batters aggressively. Hence, Gray’s performance will play a crucial role in managing the Cubs’ team and more especially the muscular men who can change the score of the game in moments of the blow.
MLB Odds/Point Spread: TBD, Total Odds: TBD
As the betting lines are yet to be determined, the odds will likely reflect the recent performances and historical matchups between these two teams. Given the pitchers slated to start and the recent trends, this could be a closely contested game, potentially making the under a valuable consideration for total runs.
Chicago Cubs Betting Trends
The Cubs have not performed well in the last few games having lost three out of the last five games and won one out of the last five games they played giving them a 1-4 record against the spread. Thus, while the on road performances have been better for the team in terms of games played against the spread 14-11, there have been issues with failure to capitalize on opportunities offered by the games.
St. Louis Cardinals Betting Trends
The Cardinals have looked good for the last five games, overall and also in terms of the spread, where they have 4 wins in five games. However, their home record in the spread betting is comparatively poor at 11-15, but their form in a series of games may work wonders to their fans.
Chicago Cubs vs. St. Louis Cardinals 5/26/24 Betting Picks
Looking at the current form and historical performances, this game could tilt in favor of the St. Louis Cardinals. Their recent upswing and stronger home performance make them a slight favorite in this matchup. For bettors, considering the Cardinals to cover the spread might be a wise choice, particularly with Sonny Gray’s strong pitching form.
In conclusion, while the Cubs could certainly surprise, the Cardinals’ momentum and better recent form against the spread make them the recommended pick here. Keep an eye on the over/under as well, as both teams have tendencies that could lead to a higher-scoring game, a critical insight for those involved in best online betting.