A Sunday Night Baseball battle features the St. Louis Cardinals (57-54) and the Chicago Cubs (54-59) squaring off. This divisional battle is the final contest of a four-game series and the Cardinals are looking to salvage a series split after dropping two of the first three. The Cardinals are second in the NL Central. Meanwhile, the Cubs are in last place and are 9.5 games back from first. Both teams remain in the NL Wild Card picture, however, with St. Louis entering the day two games out of the final slot, while Chicago is six games back. Miles Mikolas (8-8, 4.99 ERA) is starting for the Cardinals. Justin Steele (2-5, 3.38 ERA) is on the mound for the Cubs.
The first pitch is set for 7:10 p.m. ET. Chicago is listed at -148 on the money line (risk $148 to win $100) in the latest Cardinals vs. Cubs odds. The over/under for total runs scored is 8.5. Before making any Cubs vs. Cardinals picks, be sure to see the MLB predictions and betting advice from SportsLine's proven computer simulation model.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every MLB game 10,000 times. It entered Week 19 of the 2024 MLB season 55-48 on all-top rated MLB picks this season. Dating back to last season, it is on a 24-11 roll on top-rated run-line picks (+877). Anybody following has seen strong returns.
Now, the model has set its sights on Cubs vs. Cardinals and just locked in its picks and MLB predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model's picks. Now, here are several MLB odds and betting lines for Cardinals vs. Cubs:
- Cardinals vs. Cubs money line: Cubs -148, Cardinals +125
- Cardinals vs. Cubs run line: Cubs -1.5 (+137)
- Cardinals vs. Cubs over/under: 8.5 runs
- CHC: The Cubs have hit the team total Under in 25 of their last 38 games at home
- STL: The Cardinals have covered the run line in nine of their last 11 away games
- Cardinals vs. Cubs picks: See picks at SportsLine
Why you should back the Cubs
Center fielder Cody Bellinger has been an athletic difference-maker for the Cubs. At the plate, Bellinger has good plate coverage and owns the footwork to stay balanced when hitting. The 29-year-old also has impressive range as a defender. He's hitting .276 with 11 home runs and 42 RBI. On Thursday against St. Louis, he went 2-of-4 with a double and a solo homer.
Left fielder Ian Happ provides Chicago with a switch hitter who is a reliable run producer. The 29-year-old hits .228 with 17 home runs and a team-high 62 RBI. On July 31 against the Cincinnati Reds, Happ was 3-of-4 with a double, a homer and two RBI. See which team to pick here.
Why you should back the Cardinals
First baseman Paul Goldschmidt gives the Cardinals a veteran batter in the lineup. Goldschmidt has a compact swing that allows him to push the ball into gaps and be a solid run producer. The 36-year-old has a .234 batting average but owns 17 home runs and 43 RBI. On Thursday versus the Cubs, he was 3-of-5 with a double and solo homer.
Shortstop Masyn Winn is a smooth defensive force who has the instincts to make plays consistently. Winn has a rocket of an arm and owns a quick swing to make contact. The 22-year-old is hitting .279 with eight dingers and 39 RBI. In Friday's bout, he was 2-of-5 with two singles. See which team to pick here.
How to make Cubs vs. Cardinals picks
SportsLine's model is leaning Over on the run total, projecting 9.1 combined runs. It also says one side of the money line has all the value. You can only get the MLB model's picks at SportsLine.
So who wins Cardinals vs. Cubs, and which side has all the value? Visit SportsLine now to see which side you need to jump on, all from the model that's on a 24-11 roll on top-rated MLB run-line picks, and find out.
