Jun 9, 2024; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Shota Imanaga (18) pitches against the Cincinnati Reds in the second inning at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports
- Our Cardinals vs Cubs prediction for Saturday’s MLB matchup is in
- The Cubs are favored with a -162 moneyline, while the Cardinals are +136 underdogs
- Read below for our full Cardinals vs Cubs prediction, odds, player props, and injury report for June 15th
The St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs continue their three-game series on Saturday, June 15, 2024, at Wrigley Field. First pitch is set for 2:20 PM ET on Marquee TV. The Cardinals took the series opener 3-0 behind a dominant pitching performance from Kyle Gibson.
The Cardinals (33-35) and Cubs (33-37) are both looking to gain ground in the tight NL Central race. Oddsmakers favor Craig Counsell’s team to get even, pricing the Cubs as -162 home favorites over the Cardinals.
Let’s delve into our Cardinals vs Cubs prediction as we analyze the MLB odds for Saturday and provide player props.
Cardinals vs Cubs Prediction – Saturday, June 15
Friday’s series opener was a pitchers’ duel, with the Cardinals coming out on top 3-0. Kyle Gibson tossed seven shutout innings, allowing just two hits and striking out six. The Cardinals’ offense was quiet until rookie Pedro Pagés hit his first career homer in the eighth inning to break the scoreless tie.
Saturday’s matchup features two more talented young arms. The Cardinals will send Andre Pallante (2-2, 4.88 ERA) to the mound, while the Cubs counter with Shota Imanaga (6-1, 1.96 ERA).
Pallante has been solid this season and is coming off a strong outing against the Rockies, where he threw five scoreless innings with six strikeouts. The righty has a 2.41 ERA in 18.2 career innings against the Cubs.
good morning to everyone but ESPECIALLY Andre Pallante 🎯 pic.twitter.com/huej4AfV7X
— Cardinals Talk (@theredbird_way) June 10, 2024
Imanaga, on the other hand, has been a revelation for the Cubs. The 30-year-old rookie has displayed excellent command, striking out 72 while walking just 11 in 69 innings. The Cubs are 10-2 in his starts this season, making him the favorite in the NL Rookie of the Year odds.
Both offenses have struggled to find consistency. The Cardinals rank 24th in runs scored per game (3.93), while the Cubs rank 19th (4.23). However, the Cardinals have the edge in the bullpen, ranking 13th in reliever ERA compared to the Cubs’ 25th-ranked bullpen.
Expect another low-scoring affair, with Imanaga and Pallante both pitching well. The under is on a 7-0 run in Chicago games and a 5-0 streak in St. Louis games — we see no reason to buck the trend Saturday.
STL vs CHI Pick:
- Under 8.5 Runs (-115)
Cardinals vs Cubs Odds
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. Louis Cardinals | +1.5 (-146) | +136 | Over 8.5 (-105) |
| Chicago Cubs | -1.5 (+122) | -162 | Under 8.5 (-115) |
According to FanDuel, the Cubs are favored in this matchup, with a moneyline of -162. This means that a $162 bet on the Cubs would return a profit of $100 if they win. The Cardinals are the underdogs, with a moneyline of +136. A $100 bet on the Cardinals would return a profit of $136 if they emerge victorious.
The odds favor the Cubs due to several factors. First and foremost, they have Shota Imanaga on the mound, who has been one of the best pitchers in baseball this season. The Cubs are 10-2 in games started by Imanaga, compared to just 22-32 in all other games. Additionally, the Cubs have a strong home record of 18-14 at Wrigley Field this season.
However, it’s worth noting that the Cardinals have had the Cubs’ number this season, winning all three previous meetings. The Cardinals also have a better road record (16-19) than the Cubs have a home record.
Furthermore, the Cardinals’ bullpen has been much more reliable than the Cubs’, which could come into play if the game is close in the late innings.
Odds as of June 14, 2024 at FanDuel Sportsbook. Claim the FanDuel sign-up bonus to wager on Cardinals vs Cubs Saturday baseball.
Cardinals vs Cubs Player Props
Here are a few of the MLB player props we’re targeting for Saturday’s game in the Windy City:
Shota Imanaga Over 6.5 Strikeouts (-120):
Imanaga has been racking up strikeouts this season, averaging nearly one per inning. The Cardinals’ lineup is prone to strikeouts, ranking 8th in the league in that category. Look for Imanaga to continue his dominance and surpass this strikeout total.
Nolan Gorman Over 0.5 Hits (-200):
Gorman has been swinging a hot bat this month, and he has a favorable matchup against the left-handed Imanaga. While Gorman is just 3-for-11 against the Cubs this season, expect him to get at least one hit in this game.
Michael Busch Over 0.5 RBIs (+150):
Busch has been the Cubs’ most consistent run-producer this month, and he has a good track record against the Cardinals, going 2-for-8 with an RBI in his career. With the Cubs likely to score a couple of runs, Busch has a good chance to drive in at least one.
Cardinals vs Cubs Injury Report
The Cubs lost starter Jordan Wicks to a right oblique strain in the second inning of Friday’s game. He’s likely headed back to the IL. The Cardinals have no significant injuries to report.
Brady is the lead NHL and College Football editor at Sports Betting Dime, where he specializes in betting odds and data-driven analysis. Brady has over 10 years experience working in sports media, with work published by outlets such as ESPN, CBS Sports, Yahoo! Sports and Fox Sports.
The St. Louis Cardinals and the Chicago Cubs are set to face off in an exciting matchup on Saturday, June 15th. Both teams are currently in the midst of a tight race in the National League Central, making this game even more crucial for both sides. As fans gear up for this highly anticipated showdown, let’s take a look at some predictions, odds, and player props for the upcoming game.
Prediction:
The St. Louis Cardinals have been on a hot streak as of late, winning seven of their last ten games. They currently sit at the top of the NL Central standings and will be looking to extend their lead with a win over their division rivals, the Chicago Cubs. With their strong pitching staff and potent lineup, the Cardinals have a good chance of coming out on top in this matchup.
On the other hand, the Chicago Cubs have been struggling recently, losing six of their last ten games. However, they are a talented team with plenty of firepower in their lineup, so they should not be underestimated. The Cubs will be looking to bounce back with a win against the Cardinals and close the gap in the division standings.
Overall, this game is shaping up to be a close and competitive one, but I predict that the St. Louis Cardinals will come out on top with a narrow victory over the Chicago Cubs.
Odds:
According to the latest odds, the St. Louis Cardinals are slight favorites to win this game, with odds of -120. The Chicago Cubs, on the other hand, are underdogs with odds of +110. This indicates that oddsmakers believe the Cardinals have a slightly better chance of winning the game.
Player Props:
When it comes to player props, there are several key players to keep an eye on in this matchup. For the St. Louis Cardinals, outfielder Marcell Ozuna has been on fire recently, hitting .300 with 18 home runs and 57 RBIs so far this season. Look for Ozuna to continue his hot streak and make an impact in this game.
On the Chicago Cubs side, third baseman Kris Bryant is a player to watch. Bryant is hitting .280 with 15 home runs and 38 RBIs this season and has the ability to change the game with one swing of the bat. Expect Bryant to be a key contributor for the Cubs in this matchup.
In conclusion, the St. Louis Cardinals vs Chicago Cubs game on Saturday, June 15th promises to be an exciting and closely contested affair. With both teams vying for supremacy in the NL Central, fans can expect a thrilling showdown between two talented squads. Keep an eye on key players like Marcell Ozuna and Kris Bryant as they look to make an impact in this crucial divisional matchup.
