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Cubs vs. Cardinals Player Prop Predictions, Odds: Expert Picks for Sunday

Mike Spector

Last Updated: May 26, 2024 4:01 PM EDT • 3 min 11 sec read.

Pitcher Javier Assad of the Chicago Cubs points skyward as we look at our Cubs vs. Cardinals Player Prop Predictions
Pitcher Javier Assad of the Chicago Cubs points skyward as he exits the game on May 21, 2024. Photo by Griffin Quinn/Getty Images via AFP.

On Sunday Night Baseball, the St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs complete their rain-shortened series as we offer our expert Cubs vs. Cardinals player props based on the best MLB odds.

After a tough 7-6 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday, the Chicago Cubs are facing their first three-game losing streak of the season. The Cubs let a 4-3 eighth-inning lead slip and will try avoid falling for a fourth consecutive series.  

Meanwhile, the St. Louis Cardinals are sizzling hot and have won four successive games and nine of their last eleven.

The series opener on Friday was rained out and will be made up as part of a doubleheader on July 13. This gives the Cardinals a chance to secure their fourth consecutive series win with a victory on Sunday night.

Here are our best Cubs vs. Cardinals player props and MLB picks (odds via our best MLB betting sites; pick confidence based on a 1-to-5-star scale).

Cubs vs. Cardinals player props

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Cubs vs. Cardinals expert picks

Sonny Gray Under 1.5 earned runs ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Gray had gone under this projected total in four of his first five starts but entered his latest outing off the heels of two disappointing performances, where he allowed 11 combined runs in 11 innings in two road starts. However, Gray has been a much different pitcher at Busch Stadium, pitching to a 1.13 ERA in four home starts, and he got back on track with a solid six-inning start against the Baltimore Orioles, no-hitting them through five innings.

The Cubs entered this series with a .705 OPS against finesse pitchers and a .647 OPS against harder-throwing starters. And while Gray classifies as the former category with a fastball velocity that ranks in the 33rd percentile, he has done an excellent job of keeping the ball in the yard. His only earned run allowed in his last start was on a home run by Gunnar Henderson off a sweeper, but Gray had thrown 100 sweepers without allowing a home run, per Baseball Savant.

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Gray has enticing +140 odds to record the win tonight, making the plus-money odds for him to allow one or fewer earned runs even more appealing.

Best odds: +115 via Betway

Javier Assad Under 16.5 outs ⭐⭐⭐

Assad is 6-0 with a 2.42 ERA in his career on the road. All of his player prop odds are somewhat inflated, considering he has a career 1.65 ERA against St. Louis but has made only one start against them in six appearances. 

The Cardinals have taken a patient approach with him, with nine walks in 16 ⅓ innings. We expect Assad to labor through another start, as he ranks 65th of 78 qualified pitchers in BB/9 rate (3.40). 

Chicago’s coaching staff does not typically push its youngster too much, as Assad has thrown fewer than 90 pitches in six of his last eight starts. He has recorded 15 or fewer outs in five of his previous nine starts, and we expect the Cardinals to make him work again.

Best odds: -110 via Betway

Nico Hoerner Over 0.5 runs ⭐⭐⭐

This wager may contradict our play on Gray’s Under earned runs, but there is always a chance Hoerner scores an unearned run or crosses the plate against Cardinals relievers.

Hoerner is one of four Cubs with 52-plus total bases against right-handed pitchers and has a team-leading 36 hits in that split despite missing six days recently on the IL. Hoerner is 2-for-7 in his career against Gray and has at least one hit in 29 of 45 games. He ranks seventh among NL second basemen in wRC+ but is sixth in the majors in OBP at his position.

Hoerner is also tied for 10th in runs scored despite playing at least three fewer games than anyone above him, and he has still scored a run in seven of 16 May games, despite going three straight games without a run scored after coming off the IL. 

Best odds: +155 via Betway

Cubs vs. Cardinals game info & odds

  • When: Sunday, May 26
  • First pitch: 7 p.m. ET
  • Where: Busch Stadium, St. Louis
  • How to watch: ESPN
  • Favorite: Cardinals -135 (odds via Betway)

Cubs-Cardinals player props made Sunday at 7:03 a.m. ET.

Here are our best MLB betting sites:

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Written By:
Mike Spector
I have been in the sports writing industry for over three years, working for sites like BettingPros/FantasyPros, Oddschecker, and Sportsbook Review. In my first year writing for BettingPros, I finished with the #2 overall record in their annual NFL betting competition, which made picks against the spread, and from an over/under and moneyline perspective. I am an avid fan of the NFL, MLB, and all college sports. In my opinion, March Madness is the best sporting event there is, and I am especially euphoric starting with conference tournament time in college basketball. I am a big advocate of "fading the public" and making plays that are contrarian, constantly citing that "there are reasons why they have those big shiny buildings in Las Vegas." Follow me on Twitter for my best bets and commentary to go along with the wagers.