Cody Bellinger Player Props: Cardinals vs Cubs 8/2

Cody Bellinger Player Props: Cardinals vs Cubs 8/2

Game Summary

The St. Louis Cardinals (56-53) will face off against the Chicago Cubs (53-58) in the second game of their series on August 2, 2024, at Wrigley Field in Chicago. The Cardinals are currently second in the NL Central, looking to gain ground in a tight playoff race. Meanwhile, the Cubs sit in fifth place and are hoping to turn their season around after a mixed bag of results lately.

In their most recent series, the Cubs managed to edge out the Cardinals with a close 5-4 win, giving them a slight momentum boost. Historically, the Cardinals have had the upper hand in this season's matchups, leading the series 6-4 overall. However, the Cubs have shown resilience at home, boasting a record of 28-25 in Chicago this season, and an impressive 38-10 record when they out-hit their opponents.

Both teams bring their strengths to the game; the Cardinals have a solid on-base percentage of .310, ranking eighth in the National League. The Cubs, on the other hand, have notable performers like Ian Happ, who leads the team with 17 home runs and a .439 slugging percentage.

This matchup features two capable pitchers, Erick Fedde (7-4, 3.11 ERA) for the Cardinals and Javier Assad (5-3, 3.23 ERA) for the Cubs. Both pitchers have shown effectiveness this season, adding another layer of intrigue to this highly competitive game.

Player Prop Odds

• Batter Doubles: 0.5, Over Odds: +390
• Batter RBIs: 0.5, Over Odds: +135
• Batter Runs Scored: 0.5, Over Odds: -105
• Batter Singles: 0.5, Over Odds: -150
• Batter Total Bases: 1.5, Over Odds: +120

Player Analysis

Cody Bellinger has been a significant contributor to the Cubs' offense, boasting a batting average of .280 with 17 home runs and 62 RBIs this season. His ability to generate runs and find gaps in the defense makes him a key player to watch. Bellinger's recent form has been solid, as he has been able to get on base consistently, which is crucial for setting up scoring opportunities for the team.

In the last ten games, Bellinger has shown a good balance of power and contact hitting, making him a dangerous opponent for any pitcher. His capacity to hit doubles and singles, coupled with an ability to drive in runs, suggests that he is likely to make an impactful contribution in this matchup against the Cardinals.

Opposing Analysis

Facing Bellinger will be Erick Fedde, who although has an impressive 3.11 ERA, has been prone to giving up hits. The Cardinals have a batting average of .234 this season, but they are capable of capitalizing on mistakes. Bellinger’s left-handed bat is a valuable asset against right-handed pitchers like Fedde. The Cubs will need Bellinger to step up, especially given the Cardinals' strong offensive lineup and the urgency of their playoff aspirations.

Pitching Probables

Pitcher	Team	W-L	ERA	Strikeouts
Erick Fedde	Cardinals	7-4	3.11	108
Javier Assad	Cubs	5-3	3.23	86

Team Previews

The St. Louis Cardinals have been somewhat inconsistent this season, with a record of 56-53. Their hitting has been lackluster, ranking 24th in the MLB with an average of .234. However, their pitching staff has been relatively strong, holding a 3.79 ERA, which ranks them 9th in the league. The team's ability to get on base is crucial, and they need to capitalize on scoring opportunities when they arise.

On the other hand, the Chicago Cubs have been battling to stay competitive, currently at 53-58. Their offense is slightly better than the Cardinals', with a batting average of .247. The Cubs have a strong bullpen, with 37 saves, ranking them 2nd in the league. The pitching matchup against the Cardinals will be critical, as the Cubs need solid performances to help bolster their chances of a win.

Team Injuries

Player	Position	Status
Lance Lynn	SP	15-Day IL (Knee)
Riley O'Brien	RP	Out (Forearm)
Adbert Alzolay	RP	Out for the season (Forearm)

Recent Games

Team	Opponent	Score	W/L
Cardinals	Cubs	L5-4	L
Cardinals	Texas	W10-1	W
Cubs	Cardinals	W5-4	W
Cubs	Cincinnati	W13-4	W

Prediction

Given Cody Bellinger's recent form and the matchup against Erick Fedde, our prediction is to take the Over on Bellinger’s Total Bases (1.5) at odds of +120. Bellinger’s ability to hit for both singles and doubles, and his capacity to score runs, make this a favorable bet. With the Cubs needing a win to improve their standings, expect Bellinger to be a catalyst in their offense today.

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