Justin Steele Player Props: Cardinals vs Cubs 8/4

Justin Steele Player Props: Cardinals vs Cubs 8/4

Photo Credit: © Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK

Game Summary

The Chicago Cubs are set to host the St. Louis Cardinals at Wrigley Field on August 4, 2024, with the first pitch scheduled for 7:10 PM EDT. This game marks the 13th meeting between these two teams in the current season, with the Cardinals holding a narrow 7-5 advantage in the season series. The Cubs come into this matchup leading the series 2-1 after winning two of the first three matchups this weekend. The Cubs currently sit at 54-59 overall, ranking fifth in the NL Central, while the Cardinals are positioned second in the division at 57-54.

Recent performances show that the Cubs have been inconsistent, posting a 5-5 record in their last ten games, with a .237 batting average and a 4.55 ERA. They have managed to outscore their opponents by five runs during this stretch. In contrast, the Cardinals have struggled, going 4-6 in their last ten games with a .257 batting average and a 5.31 ERA, being outscored by seven runs.

Key players to watch include Cody Bellinger, who leads the Cubs with a .276 batting average and 42 RBIs, and Nolan Gorman, who leads the Cardinals with 19 home runs. Both teams have faced their share of injuries, particularly the Cubs, who are missing several key pitchers, including Adbert Alzolay and Hayden Wesneski. The Cardinals will be without Mike Siani, who is day-to-day with an oblique injury.

Player Prop Odds

Pitcher Record a Win: No -200.0, Yes +145.0

Player Analysis: Justin Steele

Justin Steele, the Cubs' starting pitcher, has had an up-and-down season, with a record of 2-5 and an ERA of 3.38. He has struck out 98 batters in 101.1 innings pitched, showcasing his ability to miss bats. Steele's WHIP of 1.10 indicates he has been effective in limiting base runners. His last outing was strong, where he managed to keep the game competitive, but overall, he has struggled to secure wins.

Opposing Analysis

The Cardinals lineup is potent, but they have struggled against left-handed pitching this season. Steele, being a lefty, might have an advantage. The Cardinals' hitters have a tendency to strike out against left-handers, which could play into Steele's strengths. Look for players like Nolan Gorman to be crucial in this matchup, but the consistency of the Cardinals' bats remains a concern.

Pitching Probables

Player	W-L	ERA	Strikeouts
Miles Mikolas (STL)	8-8	4.99	83
Justin Steele (CHC)	2-5	3.38	98

Team Previews

The Chicago Cubs, despite their fifth-place standing, have shown resilience at home with a 29-26 record. Their offense has been powered by Bellinger and Suzuki, who have been key contributors. The Cubs’ pitching staff, while missing some key pieces, has managed to keep games close, evident from their strong bullpen statistics.

On the other hand, the St. Louis Cardinals have had a rocky season, but they remain competitive with a solid core of hitters. However, their pitching has been inconsistent, especially on the road, where they have a 28-29 record. The Cardinals need to find a way to score early to support their starters.

Team Injuries

Player	Position	Injury Status
Mike Siani	CF	Probable for Aug 4
Adbert Alzolay	RP	Out for the season

Recent Games

Opponent	Score	W/L
@ Chicago (Aug 3)	W 5-4	Win
@ Chicago (Aug 2)	L 6-3	Loss
@ Chicago (Aug 1)	L 5-4	Loss
vs Texas (Jul 31)	W 10-1	Win
vs Texas (Jul 30)	W 8-1	Win

Prediction

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