Cubs vs Guardians MLB Predictions, Odds & Best Bets (8/14)

Today’s Cubs vs. Guardians MLB predictions, odds, 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.

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This week’s Chicago Cubs (59-62) vs. Cleveland Guardians (71-49) series wraps up on Wednesday when the two foes collide at Progressive Field at 6:40 p.m. ET.

As Cleveland aims to sweep Chicago, this game also features plenty of MLB betting options. This game-day preview will highlight some of them as we dive into my Cubs vs. Guardians predictions and best bets.

2024 MLB Betting Picks Record: 72-86-1 (45.6%)

MLB Betting Today: Cubs vs Guardians (8/14)

Cubs vs Guardians Game Information

• Matchup: Chicago Cubs (59-62, 27-35 Away) vs. Cleveland Guardians (71-49, 37-20 Home)
• Venue & Location: Progressive Field (Cleveland, OH)
• Date: Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2024
• Game Time: 6:40 p.m. ET
• How to Watch Cubs vs. Guardians: MLB.TV, Fubo, Bally Sports Great Lakes

Cubs vs Guardians MLB Probable Pitchers

• Cubs: Jameson Taillon (20 starts — 8-6, 3.50 ERA)
• Guardians: Alex Cobb (1 start — 0-1, 7.71 ERA)

Guardians vs Cubs MLB Odds & Spread

Guardians vs. Cubs MLB odds are courtesy of BetOnline as of Wednesday, Aug. 14 at 10:01 a.m. ET. Odds from other top online sportsbooks may also be mentioned in this article.

Cubs vs Guardians Run Line

• Chicago Cubs +1.5 (-174)
• Cleveland Guardians -1.5 (+154)

Guardians vs Cubs Over/Under

• Over 8.5 Runs (-110)
• Under 8.5 Runs (-110)

Cubs vs Guardians Moneyline

• Chicago Cubs (+124)
• Cleveland Guardians (-135)

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Cubs vs Guardians MLB Betting Trends

• The Cubs are 1-4 straight up in their last five games vs. Cleveland.
• Cleveland is 9-4 straight up in its last 13 games vs. the NL Central.
• The total hit the Over in eight of the Cubs’ last 12 games.
• The total hit the Over in seven of Cleveland’s last nine home games.
• The total hit the Under in five of the last seven Cubs-Guardians tilts at Progressive Field.

Cubs vs Guardians Predictions & MLB Picks Today (8/14)

The Guardians head into tonight’s showdown looking to sweep the Cubs following yesterday’s hard-fought 2-1 victory. The game remained tied 1-1 until Cleveland outfielder Jhonkensy Noel recorded his ninth home run of the year during the bottom of the sixth inning. RHP Emmanuel Clase then came in for his MLB-leading 37th save of the year.

With yesterday’s win, the Guardians have now extended their winning streak to four games. Three of those games were decided by just one run though, showing just how close things have been. The difference between victory and defeat was likely Cleveland’s pitching staff, which held its last four opponents to an average of only 3.3 runs per game.

Meanwhile, the Cubs have now lost back-to-back games for the first time since the last week of July. Chicago has been playing great in recent weeks, but this is what happens when you run into a better team. As good as the Cubs have been, the Guardians are legitimate contenders and have been among the MLB’s top teams since the 2024 season began.

Are the Guardians too much for the Cubs to handle?

It’s only going to be harder for the Cubs to win if RHP Jameson Taillon continues to struggle on the mound. The former 2010 first-rounder has pitched to a putrid 7.04 ERA in his last three starts after surrendering 12 earned runs and five homers on 21 hits across 15 1/3 innings.

That’s without mentioning how Taillon also has a 6.30 ERA in his last three games (2 starts) against Cleveland.

Having said that, the Guardians’ pitching situation is up in the air as Alex Cobb makes his second start of the season. The 36-year-old righty made his first 2024 start after missing several months due to shoulder surgery, allowing four earned runs over 4 2/3 innings in a 6-3 loss to the Minnesota Twins.

The good news for the Guardians is that Cobb owns a 1.50 ERA in 12 career innings against the Cubs.

Will Cubs RHP Jameson Taillon outperform Guardians RHP Alex Cobb? 

As we prepare for today’s finale, I’m taking the Guardians to complete the sweep. Playing at Progressive Field has been a struggle for the Cubs over the last few years, and I see the Guardians capitalizing on that fact. While neither pitcher has been that impressive lately, I do trust Cleveland’s bats more than what Chicago brings to the table.

With that in mind, the Over on the 8.5-run total is the way to go. The Over is 7-2 in the Guardians’ last nine road games as well as 8-4 in the Cubs’ last 12 outings overall. Considering how five of Taillon’s last seven starts also featured nine or more combined runs, it’s clear that the Over is the safer pick.

Cubs vs. Guardians MLB Prediction: CLE wins

Best Cubs vs. Guardians Bet: o8.5 Total Runs (-110)

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Best Cubs vs Guardians MLB Player Prop (8/14)

Sticking with today’s pitchers, I’m backing Jameson Taillon o2.5 earned runs (-124) as today’s top Cubs vs. Guardians player prop.

As mentioned before, Taillon has been fairly inconsistent lately. He’s pitched to a 5.08 ERA in his last five starts, surrendering at least three earned runs in three of those games — including his last start on Aug. 9. That’s without mentioning how the Over is also 4-1 in his last five road starts.

Taillon now must face the Guardians, who are averaging a whopping 6.0 runs in their last eight home games. At the end of the day, I don’t see today’s start going well for the veteran right-hander.