The St. Louis Cardinals (48-42) and the Chicago Cubs (53-36) play the final game of their 3-game series Sunday night. First pitch from Wrigley Field is at 6:10 p.m. ET (ESPN). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s MLB odds around the Cardinals vs. Cubs odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Tied 3-3
The Cardinals snapped a 4-game losing streak on Saturday, tying the series 1-1 with an 8-6 win over the Cubs. After scoring a combined 3 runs in their 4-game skid, OF Alec Burleson hit a solo shot to start a 5-run rally in the eighth inning, capped by Yohel Pozo’s pinch-hit 3-run home run.
The Cubs had their 4-game winning streak snapped with the loss, but they are still 7-3 in their last 10 games. Opener Drew Pomeranz allowed 2 earned runs, the first he has allowed all year, in 2/3 of an inning. RP Brad Keller gave up the 5 runs in the eighth inning to pick up his first loss of the season. 1B Michael Busch, a game after going 4-for-4 with 3 homers on Friday, added 3 hits on Saturday, including his 18th HR. C Carson Kelly also homered, his 11th of the year.
Cardinals at Cubs projected starters
RHP Erick Fedde vs. LHP Matthew Boyd
Expert MLB daily picks: Unique MLB betting insights only at USA TODAY
Fedde (3-8, 4.56 ERA) makes his 18th start. He has a 1.45 WHIP, 4.0 BB/9 and 5.5 K/9 through 92 2/3 innings.
- Last start: Loss, 5 IP, 7 ER, 10 H, 3 BB, 0 K in 7-0 road loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday
- Career vs. Cubs: 0-2, 7.92 ERA (25 IP, 22 ER), 1.56 WHIP, 10.1 K/9 in 5 starts
- Last start vs. Cubs (June 25): Loss, 3 2/3 IP, 7 ER, 8 H, 2 BB, 2 K in 8-0 loss St. Louis
- 2025 road splits: 1-5, 3.86 ERA (56 IP, 24 ER), 1.34 WHIP, 5.8 K/9 in 10 starts
Boyd (8-3, 2.65 ERA) makes his 18th start. He has a 1.08 WHIP, 2.0 BB/9 and 7.9 K/9 through 98 2/3 innings.
- Last start: Win, 7 IP, 2 ER, 5 H, 1 BB, 5 K in 5-2 home win over the Cleveland Guardians on Tuesday
- Has not allowed more than 2 runs in any of his last 7 starts
- Last start vs. Cardinals (June 25): Win, 6 IP, 0 ER, 3 H, 0 BB, 3 K in 8-0 win in St. Louis
- Career vs. Cardinals: 2-1, 1.57 ERA (23 IP, 4 ER), 0.74 WHIP, 10.2 K/9 in 4 starts
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Cardinals at Cubs odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:23 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Cardinals +180 (bet $100 to win $180) | Cubs -220 (bet $220 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Cardinals +1.5 (-120) | Cubs -1.5 (+100)
- Over/Under (O/U): 7.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)
Cardinals at Cubs picks and predictions
Prediction
Cubs 6, Cardinals 2
Moneyline
The Cardinals are 5-12 in Fedde’s starts this season and 2-7 in his last 9 outings. Over the last 23 games, the Cardinals have not won a game by scoring fewer than 5 runs. They are 12-0 when they score 5 or more runs and 0-9 when they do not. They have not scored in Fedde’s last 2 starts.
The Cubs have allowed at least 5 runs only twice in their last 10 games. Opponents have not reached 5 runs in 6 of Boyd’s last 7 starts. He has not allowed more than 2 runs in any of his last 7 outings.
The Cubs are 29-16 at home while the Cardinals are 22-25 on the road.
Expect the Cubs to pick up the W and the series win, but -220 odds don’t give you enough value to wager the ML.
PASS.
Run line/Against the spread
Seven of the Cubs’ last 9 wins have been by multiple runs. Six of the Cardinals’ last 7 losses have been by multiple runs.
In 6 of the Cubs’ 9 wins in Boyd’s starts, they have won by 2 or more runs.
BET CUBS -1.5 (+100).
Over/Under
The Cardinals have seen 6 of their last 9 games not reach 8 total runs. Only 1 of the 6 meetings between the teams has not reached 8 runs. Thirteen of the last 17 games for the Cubs have reached at least 8 total runs.
BET OVER 7.5 (-105).
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