Cubs vs. Cardinals Prediction, Odds & Best Bets: Will Swanson’s Struggles Continue?

The Cubs have been struggling lately, and Dansby Swanson is at the center of the slumping.

Mike Spector

Last Updated: August 9, 2025 9:46 AM EDT • 4 minute read

Pictured Chicago Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson prior to a game as we look at our Cubs vs. Cardinals prediction. Photo by Gregory Fisher / Imagn.

One of the best rivalries in Major League Baseball continues on Saturday as the St. Louis Cardinals host the World Series odds-contending Chicago Cubs, and we break down today’s matchup with our Cubs vs. Cardinals prediction. First pitch from Busch Stadium is set for 7:15 p.m. ET (FOX).

Chicago is a slight -115 moneyline road favorite across our best MLB betting sites, and we've identified one of its struggling hitters with our Cubs vs. Cardinals best bets.

Cubs vs. Cardinals prediction: Cardinals to win (-105 via BetMGM) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Best Cubs vs. Cardinals player props: Dansby Swanson Under 0.5 hits (+165 via bet365) ⭐⭐⭐

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✅ Cubs vs. Cardinals prediction: Cardinals to win (-105 via BetMGM)

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The Fourth of July holiday was around when the tide started turning in the NL Central, as the Milwaukee Brewers have been nine games better than the Cubs since then. Chicago has been just 1.5 games above St. Louis during that stretch, making this Cubs vs. Cardinals prediction not as big of an upset as one would think.

Several of Chicago’s best hitters were struggling mightily entering this series. Kyle Tucker was batting .212 since the All-Star break, and Seiya Suzuki and Michael Busch were also each batting .172 or worse in that span. The trio then went 2-for-11 in yesterday’s series opener. Their struggles are a significant reason for making St. Louis’ moneyline my Cubs vs. Cardinals best bet.

The Cubs entering Friday ranked in the bottom half of the league in wRC+ over their last 18 games doesn't give confidence they'll start swinging a hot bat in the more pitcher-friendly Busch Stadium.

While Chicago has won four of six against St. Louis with a plus-23 run differential, the Cubs have lost five straight night games against division rivals. A winning $10 wager through BetMGM’s -105 odds would net $9.52 in profit.

💰 Best Cubs vs. Cardinals player props

✅ Best Cubs vs. Cardinals player prop: Dansby Swanson Under 0.5 hits (+165 via bet365)

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Dansby Swanson is one of two Cubs hitters to log more than 10 career at-bats against Cardinals righty Andre Pallante. Swanson being hitless (0-for-11) in that span is making me side with history as my best Cubs vs. Cardinals player prop.

The pessimistic view on Pallante is that he pitched to a poor 5.16 ERA in five July starts. The optimistic take is he ended the month with one of his best starts, throwing seven shutout innings while allowing just one hit to the hot Miami Marlins. Pallante has now given up just two earned runs on six hits over his last 12 innings, and he's induced more ground balls than fly balls in 10 of his last 12 outings.

While Swanson has logged a hit in four of his last five games, he also bats ninth in the lineup, which lowers the ceiling on his plate appearances.

The value on this wager at bet365 is remarkable, as its +165 odds trump the +150 odds found at Caesars and DraftKings.

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Written by:
Mike Spector

Mike started in the sports writing industry in July 2019, and gained a lot of followers in his first year after finishing with the No. 2 overall record in an annual NFL betting competition, which made picks against the spread, and from an Over/Under and moneyline perspective. Mike is an avid fan of the NFL, MLB, tennis, and all college sports. In his opinion, March Madness is the best sporting event there is, and he's especially euphoric starting with conference tournament time in college basketball. Mike's 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." When making wagers, Mike always scours the best odds at all of the major sports betting sites, where he mostly sifts through DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, and bet365. He's tried several others and is of the firm belief that bettors should not just stick to one sportsbook, as there is always likely better value to be had with the same wager. In addition, while Mike received his undergraduate degree from Villanova University, he has no issue betting against the Wildcats when it comes to college basketball wagering, and suggests other bettors should always put their “head” before their “hearts.”