MLB Spread Best Bets: Cubs vs Cardinals 7/12

Wolfeofbetting
Jul 11, 2024, 10:42:52 PM

MLB Spread Best Bets: Chicago Cubs vs St. Louis Cardinals 7/12

Game Summary

The Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals are set to face off in an intriguing MLB matchup at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri. The game will be held on July 12th, and both teams are looking to gain momentum as they continue their respective seasons. The Cubs, with a record of 48-44, are currently in the hunt for a playoff spot, showcasing a balanced approach with a mix of solid pitching and timely hitting. On the other hand, the Cardinals, with a 45-49 record, are aiming to climb back into contention, relying on their offensive prowess and hoping their pitching staff can find consistency.

Sonny Gray will be taking the mound for the Cubs, boasting a 9-5 record with a commendable 3.30 ERA. He has been a steady force in the Cubs' rotation, providing quality starts and keeping his team in games. The Cardinals will counter with Kyle Hendricks, who has struggled this season, holding a 1-7 record and a 7.53 ERA. Hendricks will need to find his rhythm to give the Cardinals a chance against a potent Cubs lineup.

This game not only holds significance in the standings but also presents an exciting betting opportunity. With the Cubs looking to capitalize on their recent form and the Cardinals aiming to bounce back, this game promises to be a closely contested affair.

Odds and Betting Lines

Bet Type	Odds
Over/Under	9.5
Chicago Cubs Spread	+1.5 (-134)
St. Louis Cardinals Spread	-1.5 (+112)
Chicago Cubs Moneyline	-134
St. Louis Cardinals Moneyline	+112

Pitching Probables

Pitcher	W-L	ERA	Strikeouts
Sonny Gray (CHI)	9-5	3.30	115
Kyle Hendricks (STL)	1-7	7.53	47

Team Previews

Chicago Cubs

Hitting: The Cubs' offense has been relatively balanced this season, ranking 16th in hits (761) and 16th in batting average (.244). Masyn Winn has been a standout performer, leading the team with a .286 batting average. Nolan Gorman has provided power with 17 home runs, and Alec Burleson leads the team in RBIs with 48.

Relief Pitching: The Cubs' bullpen has been solid, leading the league with 34 saves. Their collective ERA of 3.98 ranks 15th, indicating they have been effective in keeping games close.

Fielding: Defensively, the Cubs have committed 46 errors, which places them in the middle of the pack. However, their fielding has been reliable enough to support their pitching staff.

Starting Pitchers: The starting rotation, led by Sonny Gray, has been a strength for the Cubs. Gray's 3.30 ERA and 115 strikeouts highlight his ability to dominate on the mound.

St. Louis Cardinals

Hitting: The Cardinals' offense has struggled at times, ranking 25th in hits (712) and 23rd in batting average (.231). Michael Busch leads the team with a .278 average, while Christopher Morel and Ian Happ have been key contributors with 16 home runs and 56 RBIs, respectively.

Relief Pitching: The Cardinals' bullpen has been inconsistent, with 21 saves ranking 18th in the league. Their ERA of 3.85 is slightly better than the Cubs, ranking 12th.

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

Starting Pitchers: Kyle Hendricks has had a tough season, with a 7.53 ERA highlighting his struggles. The Cardinals will need better performances from their starters to turn their season around.

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

Cubs are 5-2 in their last 7 games.
Cardinals are 2-5 in their last 7 home games.
Cubs are 6-4 in their last 10 road games.
Cardinals are 4-6 in their last 10 games overall.
Over is 4-1 in Cubs' last 5 games.
Under is 3-2 in Cardinals' last 5 home games.
Cubs are 7-3 in their last 10 games against the Cardinals.
Cardinals are 3-7 against the spread in their last 10 games.
Cubs are 4-1 in their last 5 games when Sonny Gray starts.
Cardinals are 1-4 in their last 5 games when Kyle Hendricks starts.

Recent Games

Date	Opponent	Score	Result
Fri, Jul 5	vs Los Angeles	W5-1	W
Sat, Jul 6	vs Los Angeles	L7-0	L
Sun, Jul 7	vs Los Angeles	W5-0	W
Tue, Jul 9	@ Baltimore	W9-2	W
Wed, Jul 10	@ Baltimore	W4-0	W

Date	Opponent	Score	Result
Fri, Jul 5	@ Washington	W7-6	W
Sat, Jul 6	@ Washington	L14-6	L
Sun, Jul 7	@ Washington	W8-3	W
Mon, Jul 8	@ Washington	W6-0	W
Wed, Jul 10	vs Kansas City	L6-4	L

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

Cubs are 7-3 in their last 10 games against the Cardinals.
Cubs are 4-1 in their last 5 games when Sonny Gray starts.
Cubs have covered the spread in 6 of their last 10 road games.
Cardinals are 3-7 against the spread in their last 10 games.
Cardinals are 1-4 in their last 5 games when Kyle Hendricks starts.
Over is 4-1 in Cubs' last 5 games.
Under is 3-2 in Cardinals' last 5 home games.
Cubs are 5-2 in their last 7 games overall.
Cardinals are 2-5 in their last 7 home games.
Cubs are 6-4 in their last 10 road games.

Weather

The weather for the game at Busch Stadium is expected to be partly sunny with thunderstorms, with a high temperature of 85°F. This could impact the game's dynamics, especially if there are delays or interruptions.

Prediction

Pick: Chicago Cubs to cover +1.5

Given the current form of both teams and the pitching matchup, the Chicago Cubs have a significant advantage. Sonny Gray has been a reliable starter for the Cubs, while Kyle Hendricks has struggled mightily this season. The Cubs' offense has also been more productive recently, and their bullpen has been one of the best in the league. Additionally, the Cubs have a strong record against the Cardinals in their last 10 meetings. Therefore, the smart bet is for the Cubs to cover the spread of +1.5.