Chicago Cubs (45-49) vs. St. Louis Cardinals (48-44)
As the Chicago Cubs head to Busch Stadium to face the St. Louis Cardinals this Friday, MLB fans and bettors are looking forward to an engaging showdown between these two National League Central rivals. The game, set for July 12, 2024, at 8:15 PM ET, promises not only to highlight the competitive spirit of the teams but also to offer thrilling opportunities for those frequenting the best live betting website.
The Chicago Cubs currently bat for an average of .231 and slug for .372 might not make them seem threatening but their clutch hitting and decent bullpen which provided a team ERA of 3.85 sees the team stay competitive in close contests. Another factor of which the Cubs have proven to be quite effective is their capacity for wins, especially on the road where they have been 4-1 in the last 5 games, this underlines a probably undiscovered advantage that the Cubs have as they take on the Cardinals.
Taking a view on the batting aspect, St. Louis Cardinals have a better batting average of .244 and a better slugging percentage of .383 than the Cubs. Their pitching has not been as strong as Chicago’s with an ERA of 3.98, however they are competitive especially when they are in their home field. This explains St. Louis’ ability to seize the opportunities especially against the divisional teams with a 4-1 record in the last 5 matches against teams from the National League.
Chicago Cubs vs. St. Louis Cardinals Game Info
| When: | Friday, July 12, 2024 at 8:15 PM ET |
| Where: | Busch Stadium |
| TV: | ATV+ |
| Stream: | MLB.TV |
Kyle Hendricks (1-7, 7.53 ERA) vs. Sonny Gray (9-5, 3.3 ERA)
Kyle Hendricks’ season for the Cubs include poor performance indicated by an actual record of 1-7 and an undesirable ERA of 7. 53. His general production has also been poor as marked by the WHIP of 1.58 signifying inability to contain the game and therefore; 80 hits in the 63.1 innings pitched. In dealing with the Cardinals, Hendricks will have to bring into play his experience together with the possibility of modifying his strategies to cope with those hitters who have learned the trick of making meat out of any mistake the pitcher makes.
However, Sonny Gray for the Cardinals is a much sterner test on the pitcher’s mound bringing an 9-5 W/L record and a 3.3 ERA. His command and effectiveness are evidenced by the WHIP of 1.04 and 115 strikeouts important for St. Louis. They should manage the home size rubbers and control the tricky moments for the Cubs to be able to clinch a home victory.
MLB Odds/Point Spread: St. Louis Cardinals -200, Total Odds: 8.5
The betting odds are leaning significantly towards the Cardinals, mainly due to their pitching advantage and stronger offensive stats. The game’s total is set at 8.5, with trends showing a mixed bag, as both teams have games trending under and over this total in recent matchups.
Chicago Cubs Betting Trends
The Cubs have shown an interesting betting pattern, particularly the trend of their games going UNDER in 5 of their last 6. However, their recent surge in form, going 6-1 SU in their last 7, suggests they can outperform expectations, particularly as underdogs.
St. Louis Cardinals Betting Trends
For the Cardinals, the total has gone OVER in 5 of their last 6 games, suggesting a tendency towards higher-scoring affairs, although they tend to play tighter, lower-scoring games against the Cubs specifically. Their home advantage and recent record against National League opponents provide a solid betting angle.
Chicago Cubs vs. St. Louis Cardinals 7/12/24 Betting Picks
Considering the statistical analysis and recent form, the Cardinals seem positioned to take advantage of Hendricks’ struggles, although the Cubs’ recent road victories cannot be ignored. Expect a close contest, but the edge goes to the home team due to superior pitching.
For those looking at baseball expert picks, consider taking the Cardinals to cover the spread, but also look at the UNDER on the total, given the historical trends when these two teams meet, especially at Busch Stadium.
