MLB Moneyline Picks Tonight: Chicago Cubs vs St. Louis Cardinals - 7/12

Game Summary

The Chicago Cubs (48-44) will be taking on the St. Louis Cardinals (45-49) tonight at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri. This matchup features two teams that are fighting to remain competitive in their divisions. The Cubs currently sit in a better overall position, but the Cardinals have shown resilience, especially at home. Both teams are coming off mixed performances, and this game could be crucial for their momentum.

Chicago will be sending Sonny Gray to the mound, who has been effective this season with a 9-5 record and a 3.30 ERA. On the other side, the Cardinals will counter with Kyle Hendricks, who has struggled mightily with a 1-7 record and a 7.53 ERA. The disparity between the starting pitchers could be a significant factor in this contest.

Offensively, the Cubs have been slightly better, ranking 16th in hits and batting average. Meanwhile, the Cardinals have struggled with consistency at the plate, ranking 25th in hits and 23rd in batting average. Both teams have their strengths in the bullpen, with the Cubs having the best save percentage in the league.

As we delve deeper into the statistics and trends, we'll provide a comprehensive analysis to help you make an informed betting decision for tonight's game.

 

Odds and Betting Lines

Market	Odds
Over/Under	N/A
Chicago Cubs Spread	+1.5 (-120)
St. Louis Cardinals Spread	-1.5 (+100)
Chicago Cubs Moneyline	+166
St. Louis Cardinals Moneyline	-198

 

Pitching Probables

Pitcher	W-L	ERA	Strikeouts	Walks	HR Allowed
Sonny Gray (CHC)	9-5	3.30	115	24	8
Kyle Hendricks (STL)	1-7	7.53	47	20	13

 

Team Previews

Chicago Cubs

Hitting: The Cubs have been average at the plate, ranking 16th in hits (761) and batting average (.244). Masyn Winn leads the team with a .286 average, while Nolan Gorman has 17 home runs.

Relief Pitching: The Cubs' bullpen has been a strength, leading the league with 34 saves. Their overall ERA of 3.98 ranks 15th, which is respectable.

Fielding: The Cubs' defense has committed 46 errors, ranking 19th. This is an area they could improve to support their pitching staff better.

Starting Pitchers: Sonny Gray has been the standout in the rotation with a 9-5 record and a 3.30 ERA. His ability to limit walks and home runs has been crucial for the Cubs.

 

St. Louis Cardinals

Hitting: The Cardinals have struggled offensively, ranking 25th in hits (712) and 23rd in batting average (.231). Michael Busch leads the team with a .278 average, while Christopher Morel has 16 home runs.

Relief Pitching: The Cardinals' bullpen has been solid, with 21 saves (T-18th) and a team ERA of 3.85 (12th). Ryan Helsley has been a reliable closer.

Fielding: The Cardinals have committed 51 errors, ranking 13th. They will need to tighten up their defense to support their pitching staff.

Starting Pitchers: Kyle Hendricks has had a tough season, with a 1-7 record and a 7.53 ERA. His struggles have put added pressure on the bullpen and offense.

 

Team Injuries

Chicago Cubs

Player Name	Position	Injury	Injury Status
Jordan Wicks	SP	Oblique	Expected to be out until at least Aug 1
Cody Bellinger	CF	Finger	Expected to be out until at least Jul 21

 

St. Louis Cardinals

Player Name	Position	Injury	Injury Status
Ivan Herrera	C	Back	Expected to be out until at least Jul 12

 

Betting Trends

• The Cubs are 48-44 overall and 24-24 on the road.
• The Cardinals are 45-49 overall and 25-21 at home.
• The Cubs have a better bullpen with 34 saves compared to the Cardinals' 21 saves.
• Sonny Gray has a significantly better ERA (3.30) than Kyle Hendricks (7.53).
• Both teams have had up-and-down performances in recent games.

 

Recent Games

Chicago Cubs

Opponent	Score	W/L
@ Baltimore	W9-2	W
@ Baltimore	W4-0	W
@ Baltimore	W8-0	W
vs Los Angeles	L7-0	L
vs Los Angeles	W5-0	W

 

St. Louis Cardinals

Opponent	Score	W/L
@ Washington	W8-3	W
@ Washington	W6-0	W
vs Kansas City	L6-4	L
vs Kansas City	L8-5	L
@ Pittsburgh	W7-4	W

 

Team Rankings

Category	Chicago Cubs	St. Louis Cardinals
Hitting	16th	25th
Starting Pitching	15th	12th
Relief Pitching	1st	18th
Fielding	19th	13th

 

Significant Betting Stats

• The Cubs have a better road record (24-24) compared to the Cardinals' home record (25-21).
• Sonny Gray has a much better ERA (3.30) compared to Kyle Hendricks (7.53).
• Chicago has a superior bullpen with 34 saves, ranking 1st in the league.
• St. Louis has committed more errors (51) than Chicago (46).
• The Cubs' batting average (.244) is better than the Cardinals' (.231).
• St. Louis has been inconsistent, with a 45-49 overall record.
• Chicago's bullpen has been a strong point, leading the league in saves.
• St. Louis has a solid closer in Ryan Helsley but lacks depth in the bullpen.
• The Cubs have shown better offensive production in recent games.
• St. Louis's starting pitching has been a weak link, especially with Hendricks struggling.

 

Weather

Partly sunny with thunderstorms, temperature around 85°F. Check detailed weather forecast here.

 

Prediction

Given the disparity in starting pitching, with Sonny Gray having a far superior season compared to Kyle Hendricks, the Cubs have a significant edge on the mound. Additionally, the Cubs' bullpen has been more reliable, and their offense has shown better form recently. With the added value on the moneyline, betting on the Cubs to win outright provides a favorable risk-to-reward ratio.