Cubs vs. Cardinals Odds
| Cubs Odds | +155 |
| Cardinals Odds | -190 |
| Over/Under | 9 |
| Time | 2:15 p.m. ET |
| TV | MLB.TV |
| Odds via PointsBet. Get up-to-the-minute MLB odds here. | |
After taking game one by a score of 3-0, the Chicago Cubs look to snag a series victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday afternoon.
Kyle Hendricks put together a vintage performance on Friday night by striking out six over seven and 1/3 innings without surrendering a run. The Cubs turn to Adrian Sampson to try and make it two wins in a row.
The Cardinals send Miles Mikolas to the mound to get the Cards back in the win column as they try to re-take first place in the NL Central.
Cubs Pitching Facing a Challenge
Sampson will make his third appearance and first start of the season for the Cubs. He hasn't given up an earned run in five and 1/3 innings so far this season, but his AAA numbers are pretty "meh" this season.
Speaking of "meh," the Cubs' bullpen has been among the bottom five in FIP and has the highest ERA in the majors over the past three weeks. The combination of Sampson and the Cubs bullpen does not bode well for a victory.
On the other hand, the Cubs' offense has been the ninth-best on the road against RHP over the past three weeks, so that's pretty cool.
Cardinals Offense Looks to Stay Hot
As cool as the Cubs' offense has been over the past three weeks, they will never be as cool as Miles Mikolas' mustache. Additionally, Mikolas' 2.74 home ERA is impressive, but the last time he faced the Cubs, he labored through five innings while surrendering four earned runs on the road. Not as cool.
The Cardinals' offense at home has been pretty hot as of late. Despite the shut out Friday night, the Cards still have the seventh-best road offense over the past three weeks in terms of team wRC+.
The Cards' pen has also been in a bit of an upswing as they are sixth in FIP over the past couple of weeks. Their ERA is only 14th-best over that time span, but they should regress positively considering their peripherals.
Cubs-Cardinals Pick
Considering this, it seems like the only logical conclusion is the take the Cards runline right? Mikolas on the mound against Adrian Sampson and the Cubs' bullpen? Feels like a lock. Of course baseball is crazy, and even Adrian Sampson can outpitch Miles Mikolas in a road start.
However, it would be foolish to take anything besides the Cards' runline in this match up. If it stays in plus-money, that's definitely the move, but there's value here at -115 or better.
Pick: Cardinals Runline -1.5 (+100)
