Cardinals vs. Cubs Prediction: MLB Odds & Expert Picks for Sept. 26
The St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs kick off the final weekend of the regular season with the only afternoon game on Friday’s slate. First pitch from Wrigley Field in Chicago is scheduled for 2:20 p.m. ET (MLBN). My Cardinals vs. Cubs prediction expects a slugfest in this NL Central matinee.
The Cubs are a -170 betting favorite, but my MLB picks are looking to the Over, helped along by a play on a Cubs slugger who has ridiculous offensive numbers in a small sample size against today’s starting pitcher.
📊 Cardinals vs. Cubs odds
Latest MLB odds updated live in real time.
📺️ How to watch Cardinals vs. Cubs
When: Friday, Sept. 26
First pitch: 2:20 p.m. ET
Where: Wrigley Field (Chicago)
TV: MLB Network
⚾ Cardinals vs. Cubs predictions
MLB expert picks for Friday; odds subject to change.
- Game pick: Cubs (-170 via BetMGM) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Over/Under pick: Over 8.5 (-122 via FanDuel) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Player prop bet: Pete Crow-Armstrong Over 0.5 RBIs (+150 via FanDuel) ⭐⭐⭐
✅ Cardinals vs. Cubs expert pick
Track the latest MLB scores for line movement and matchup info.
⬆️ Over 8.5 (-122) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Cubs bounced back from their longest losing streak of the season (five games) with a win on Wednesday against the New York Mets, but I still cannot back Chicago’s moneyline odds confidently enough given its recent struggles. However, the way its offense performed at home after a seven-game road trip has me looking towards the Over as my Cardinals vs. Cubs best bet.
Chicago averaged just 3.3 runs per game over a 3-4 seven-game road trip, all of which were against division rivals. But 16 of those 23 runs scored in that span came in a three-game road sweep of the Pittsburgh Pirates, and there was enough to like about Chicago’s offense in its return home against New York to think it can cash this Over by itself.
The Cubs exploded for 22 runs and hit five home runs in the three games, while going 11-for-25 with runners in scoring position. Now they face a familiar foe in Cardinals righty Miles Mikolas, who has allowed a .323/.348/.539 slash line with 24 extra-base hits in 192 combined at-bats to current Cubs hitters.
Four Cubs hitters (Dansby Swanson, Seiya Suzuki, Ian Happ, Nico Hoerner) with 25 or more career at-bats against Mikolas have combined for a .311 batting average and 12 RBI against the righty. And both teams have combined for at least nine runs in four of Cubs righty Colin Rea’s last five starts.
The steeper -122 odds carrying a 54.95% implied probability at FanDuel are worth paying up for, as it is the only top sports betting site offering an O/U a half-run lower than the rest of the market at 9.0 runs. A $10 winning wager at FanDuel would net $8.20 in profits.
Bet $5, Win $300 in Bonus Bets
New customers only. Min. first deposit and wager of $5+. Bonus bets are awarded within 72 hours of winning your first wager. T&Cs apply.
Each product featured on our website has been meticulously researched and selected by our team of experts. If you sign up through our links, we may get a commission.
💰 Cardinals vs. Cubs player prop bet
Our MLB player prop odds tool shows the best odds for every market across legal sportsbooks in your area.
⬆️ Pete Crow-Armstrong Over 0.5 RBI (+150 via FanDuel) ⭐⭐⭐
Cubs centerfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong has eye-popping numbers, albeit in a small sample size, against Miles Mikolas.
Crow-Armstrong has six hits in seven career at-bats against the righty, with four of those being solo home runs. But instead of backing Crow-Armstrong’s best +426 home run odds at DraftKings, I am expecting him to drive in a run as my best Cardinals vs. Cubs player prop bet amid his recent power struggles.
Crow-Armstrong entered yesterday’s series finale against the Mets slashing just .158/.150/.158 with three total bases in his last seven days. He snapped a six-game RBI drought in Wednesday’s win, but has just one extra-base hit in his last nine games.
However, Crow-Armstrong does not even need to come up with a base hit to cash this Over. Chicago should have plenty of traffic on the basepaths against a pitcher who has a career 4.55 ERA and 1.453 WHIP in 13 career appearances (11 starts) at Wrigley Field.
Crow-Armstrong’s RBI odds are as low as +145 at 40.82% implied odds, so I am headed to FanDuel for the best payout. If he drives in a run, a $10 winning wager would return $15 in profits.
(21+. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER)
* Bonuses not applicable in Ontario.
Not intended for use in MA.
Each betting site featured on SBR has been meticulously researched and selected by our team of experts. If you sign up through our links, we may get a commission.
Related Articles
