St. Louis Cardinals (56-52) vs. Chicago Cubs (52-58)
As the St. Louis Cardinals face the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on a sunny Sunday evening, MLB fans are gearing up for what promises to be a riveting matchup. The Cardinals, holding a slight edge with a 56-52 record, are looking to solidify their standing, while the Cubs at 52-58 aim to disrupt their rivals and climb closer to a .500 record. The setting at Wrigley Field, coupled with national coverage on ESPN, sets the stage for a classic showdown, reminiscent of the thrills one might find at the best online casino.
The Cardinals arrive to this game with a fairly erratic performance record over the last several games. Offensively, their batting average is at .247 and they have scored 454 runs in total during this season as well. Their strategy has been focusing on achievements such as a slugging average of .388 and a total of 112 home runs, which indicates that they make high impact plays. But the teams on-base percentage stays at .310, and clearly getting players on base should be improved. Pitching has been reasonable with the staff earning an ERA of 4.04, the Cardinals must tighten affairs on the mound so as to clinch more wins.
On the other end, the Chicago Cubs are a little worse in terms of the team batting average of .234 but they have maintained their run production this season at 457. The Cubs therefore have a slightly better ERA of 3.79 despite the fact that they acquire fewer hits and home runs than cardinals. This implies their pitching has been able to restrict the opponent’s scoring as supported by a better WHIP of 1.25. It showed that the Cubs game plan in the series will be anchored on great pitching and hoping to take advantage of any weakness that the Cardinals pitchers will show.
St. Louis Cardinals vs. Chicago Cubs Game Info
| When: | Sunday, August 4, 2024 at 7:10 PM ET |
| Where: | Wrigley Field |
| TV: | ESPN |
| Stream: | MLB.TV |
Miles Mikolas (8-8, 4.99 ERA) vs. Justin Steele (2-5, 3.38 ERA)
For the Cardinals, Miles Mikolas will take the mound and has an 8-8 win-loss record in this game, coupled with an unimpressive ERA of 4.99 in 124.1 innings. While the opponent can score 133 hits and secure only 83 strikes, Mikolas’ capacity to control the situation and his game nervousness will be the key for success. His WHIP of 1.23 indicates that at his best, he pitches to reduce the effectiveness of the opposing hitters, which is crucial against a Cubs team capable of capitalizing on poor pitches.
As for the Cubs on the mound, Justin Steele is an antithesis with 3.38 ERA and a record of 2-5. Steele produced a more impressive ERA and WHIP of 1.11, accompanied by 98 strikeouts in 101.1 innings suggesting a pitcher that can be devastating on his day. He will prove to be a key in stopping the Cardinals power striking and the game can easily swing for the Cardinals in favor if he is at his best.
MLB Odds/Point Spread: TBD, Total Odds: TBD
As the betting odds are yet to be determined, bettors should keep a keen eye on the Moneyline and point spreads once released. Both teams present intriguing options, with the Cardinals possibly edging out as favorites due to their slightly better record.
St. Louis Cardinals Betting Trends
The Cardinals are 3-2 in their last 5 games but have struggled against the spread on the road, going 25-29. Bettors should note the trend of games going OVER in the total runs, occurring in 4 of their last 5 games, indicating potential for high-scoring affairs.
Chicago Cubs Betting Trends
Similarly, the Cubs are 3-2 in both their last 5 games and against the spread in those games. With a fairly balanced record in road games against the spread (30-28), the Cubs demonstrate competitiveness in most matchups. Like the Cardinals, the Cubs have seen the total go OVER in 3 of their last 5 games.
St. Louis Cardinals vs. Chicago Cubs 8/4/24 Betting Picks
Given the current form and statistical analysis, the matchup seems evenly balanced. However, considering pitching matchups and home advantage, the Cubs might have a slight edge with Steele on the mound. Bettors should consider the Cubs for a potential upset, especially if Steele performs to his capabilities.
In terms of MLB betting picks, a close game is anticipated. Prop bets on pitchers’ strikeouts and total bases could offer value, given the hitting power on display. The over on total runs could also be a smart bet, aligning with recent trends for both teams.
Free Pick and Prediction: Chicago Cubs 5, St. Louis Cardinals 3
