Cubs vs Cardinals MLB Predictions, Odds & Best Bets (7/12)

Today’s Cubs vs. Cardinals MLB predictions and best bets are brought to you by BetOnline. BetOnline is a market leader in sports betting, offering various options from MLB odds to the NBA and everything in between.

Friday’s MLB schedule is loaded with intriguing matchups, including the resumption of an NL Central rivalry when the Chicago Cubs (45-49) and St. Louis Cardinals (48-44) begin their four-game series at 8:15 p.m. ET.

After sweeping the Baltimore Orioles on the road and securing a four-game winning streak, the Cubs are heading to Busch Stadium. On the other hand, the Cardinals are looking to prevent a third straight loss after suffering two consecutive defeats in a doubleheader against the Kansas City Royals.

So, which of these club’s streaks is set to persist?

We will attempt to answer that in this Cubs vs. Cardinals MLB betting preview as we delve into today’s predictions and best bets.

2024 MLB Betting Picks Record: 54-58-1 (48.2%)

MLB Betting Today: Cubs vs Cardinals (7/12)

Cubs vs Cardinals Game Information

Matchup: Chicago Cubs (45-49, 20-28 Away) vs. St. Louis Cardinals (48-44, 24-20 Home)
Venue & Location: Busch Stadium (St. Louis, MO)
Date: Friday, July 12, 2024
Game Time: 8:15 p.m. ET
How to Watch Cubs vs. Cardinals: MLB.TV, Fubo, Apple TV+

Cubs vs Cardinals MLB Probable Pitchers

Cubs: Kyle Hendricks (16 games/11 starts — 1-7, 7.53 ERA)
Cardinals: Sonny Gray (16 starts — 9-5, 3.30 ERA)

Cardinals vs Cubs MLB Odds & Spread

Cardinals vs. Cubs MLB odds are courtesy of BetOnline as of Friday, July 12 at 10:35 a.m. ET. Odds from other top online sportsbooks may also be mentioned in this article.

Cubs vs Cardinals Run Line

Chicago Cubs +1.5 (-125)
St. Louis Cardinals -1.5 (+105)

Cardinals vs Cubs Over/Under

Over 8 Runs (-113)
Under 8 Runs (-107)

Cubs vs Cardinals Moneyline

Chicago Cubs (+170)
St. Louis Cardinals (-186)

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Cubs vs Cardinals MLB Betting Trends

In their last five road games, the Cubs have a straight up record of 4-1.
In its last 19 games against the NL Central, St. Louis has a straight up record of 13-6.
The Under was hit in five of the last six games played by the Cubs.
The Over was hit in four of the last six home games for St. Louis.
In seven of the last eight Cubs-Cardinals matchups, the total score was under the predicted amount.

Cubs vs Cardinals Predictions & MLB Picks Today (7/12)

Tonight’s game is the sixth face-off of the 2024 MLB season between these NL Central adversaries. Thus far, the Cardinals have mostly dominated, winning four out of the previous five matches against the Cubs. However, the series has been more competitive than it seems, with St. Louis only outscoring Chicago by a narrow margin of 17-15 overall.

Both sides need to secure victories to enhance their chances of reaching the playoffs. Although the Cardinals presently occupy the NL No. 2 wild-card seed, they face competition from eight teams that are within four games of them. This group includes the Cubs, who are only three games away from the last playoff position.

The Cubs currently have the advantage with six victories in their last seven games, including wins against teams such as the Orioles and Philadelphia Phillies. Not to mention, Chicago has surpassed its competitors by an average of 6.0 runs in its recent four-game winning streak.

Meanwhile, it’s difficult to assess the Cardinals. Despite suffering consecutive losses to the Royals, it’s important to remember that they had a 7-3 straight-up record in the 10 games before, so it’s too soon to tell if Wednesday’s losses were just a one-off or not.

Which version of the Cardinals will show up at Busch Stadium tonight?

The Cardinals have an advantage with a 52.0% win rate against other NL Central teams this season, compared to the Cubs’ 34.5% win rate. Moreover, in their last 20 divisional games, Chicago has suffered 15 losses while St. Louis boasts a record of 13-6 SU in their past 19 games.

Also remember that in their last three visits to Busch Stadium, the Cubs have a straight up record of 0-3 and an average run margin of minus-1.7.

Chicago’s likelihood of winning this game seems even less likely with Kyle Hendricks starting today. The seasoned right-hander seemed to be improving in June, but with nine earned runs on 11 hits in his last 5 2/3 innings, it looks like his difficulties are resurfacing.

Although Sonny Gray, the Cardinals’ RHP, has performed better than Hendricks this season, his recent performance has been disappointing. The three-time MLB All-Star recorded 0-1 with a 7.71 ERA in his last two starts, following his surrendering of eight earned runs on 11 hits.

Simultaneously, Gray has a 1-0 record and a 1.77 ERA from his last four games against the Cardinals.

Cardinals RHP Sonny Gray has had the Cubs’ number for the last few years.

As great as the Cubs have been, all good things must end, so back the Cardinals to win. It can’t be understated how poorly the Cubs perform when Hendricks is on the mound, going 3-13 SU in his first 16 starts of the year. Meanwhile, St. Louis is 6-3 SU in Gray’s nine home starts, in which he owns a 1.90 ERA.

Considering how the Cubs are also outscored by an average of 3.6 runs per game throughout Hendricks’ starts in 2024, taking Cardinals -1.5 is the way to go.

Cubs vs. Cardinals MLB Prediction: STL wins

Best Cubs vs. Cardinals Bet: STL -1.5 (+105)

Get 50% up to $1,000 on your Cubs vs. Cardinals MLB predictions today at BetOnline

Best Cubs vs Cardinals MLB Player Prop (7/12)

For today’s Cubs vs. Cardinals player prop recommendation, I suggest taking Nolan Arenado to record o0.5 runs + RBIs (-102).

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Arenado has shown remarkable consistency recently in exceeding the Over on this prop. The third baseman, a five-time Silver Slugger, has a slash line of .314/.340/.451 in his most recent 13 games (51 at-bats), recording seven runs and six RBIs with 16 hits, including two home runs. He accomplished the Over on this prop in eight of those games and in four of his last six appearances.

Given that Kyle Hendricks is surrendering runs at a high rate, I’m certain that Arenado will manage to exceed expectations once more.

Cubs vs Cardinals MLB Predictions, Odds & Best Bets (7/12)

2024 MLB Betting Picks Record: 54-58-1 (48.2%)