Cubs vs. Cardinals Odds
| Cubs Odds | +140 |
| Cardinals Odds | -160 |
| Over/Under | 9 (-105/-115) |
| Time | 8:15 p.m. ET |
| TV | Apple TV+ |
| Odds via Caesars. Get up-to-the-minute MLB odds here. | |
The Cardinals dropped Thursday's game to the Brewers, bringing them to a tie with dueling 40-32 records sitting atop the National League Central division.
The Cubs aren't enjoying the same kind of success this season as their 26-44 record has them 13 games out of the lead in the division. Chicago has a -79 run differential this year compared to the Cardinals' +62 run differential, which is the best in the division.
Despite the Cubs' down season, this is still an exciting matchup because of the history of their rivalry with the Cardinals. Who will get the job done tonight on national television?
Can Cubs Hit Pallante?
The Cubs will face Andre Pallante, who is making the fourth start of his major league career. He's been pretty impressive in his last two starts as he was able to complete five innings, allow no more than two earned runs, and strikeout at least four batters in both outings.
Pallante has good velocity as he averages over 95 mph on his fastball. He has faced the Cubs already this season, but that was the first start of his major league career. Pallante was OK in that game, but walked four batters and failed to complete five innings.
That start was at Wrigley Field, though, and he'll get the home field advantage on the Cubs this time around.
Chicago's lineup has some power in it as Christopher Morel and Patrick Wisdom each have ISOs above .200 against right-handed pitching this season, but Pallante doesn't give up much power to right-handed batters as he's allowed a .094 ISO to them this season.
Pallante has a 16% K-rate this season and five hitters in the Cubs' projected lineup have a K-rates of at least 21% against right-handed pitching this season.
Cardinals' Offense Getting Hot
The Cardinals' lineup has been heating up lately as Paul Goldschmidt continues his potential MVP campaign and Nolan Arenado and Nolan Gorman continue to hit for power themselves.
Cubs starter Kyle Hendricks was absolutely blasted in his last start. Hendricks allowed six earned runs against the Braves without completing five innings. On the season, he has a 5.18 xFIP, 16% K%, 6% BB%, and 37% ground ball percentage.
St. Louis' lineup has a lot of power in it as Goldschmidt, Arenado, Gorman and Juan Yepez all have ISOs above .200 against right-handed pitching this season.
Gorman especially could be in for a big game as Hendricks has allowed a .308 ISO to left-handed batters this season compared to just a .145 ISO to right-handed batters this season.
Cubs-Cardinals Pick
I'm rocking with the Cardinals here. The Cubs aren't contenders and Hendricks certainly isn't anything special this year with an xFIP over 5.00.
St. Louis' offense has been cooking and I expect the Cardinals to score early and often at home against Hendricks.
Pallante could struggle early in the game if his control issues return, but taking the full game moneyline makes this less of an issue.
Pick: Cardinals ML -155
