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, the Cubs are heading to Busch Stadium with a four-game winning streak. On the other hand, the Cardinals are hoping to avoid a third straight loss after suffering back-to-back defeats in a doubleheader against the Kansas City Royals.

So, which of these clubs’ streaks is set to continue?

This MLB betting preview of the Cubs vs. Cardinals game aims to answer your questions as we delve into today’s predictions and top 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 total fell under in five of the Cubs’ last six games.
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 projected amount.

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

This evening’s game represents the sixth encounter of the 2024 MLB season between these NL Central adversaries. So far, the Cardinals have dominantly led, having won four out of the previous five matches against the Cubs. However, the series is tighter than it appears, with St. Louis having only a slight edge over Chicago in terms of total runs, 17-15.

Both sides, however, need to secure a win to enhance their chances in the playoffs. At the moment, the Cardinals occupy the NL No. 2 wild-card position, but they are closely trailed by eight teams that are within four games of them. This includes the Cubs, who are just three games away from the last playoff spot.

The Cubs are riding a wave of momentum, having won six out of their last seven games, including notable victories over teams such as the Orioles and the Philadelphia Phillies. Furthermore, Chicago has been outplaying its competitors, with an average lead of 6.0 runs in its recent four-game winning streak.

Meanwhile, it is challenging to assess the Cardinals. Despite recent consecutive losses to the Royals, it’s important to note that they had a 7-3 straight-up record in the 10 games before, making it unclear whether Wednesday’s losses were just an anomaly or not.

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

The Cardinals have an advantage with a 52.0% winning percentage against other NL Central teams this season, compared to the Cubs’ 34.5%. Moreover, the Cubs have lost 15 of their last 20 divisional games, while the Cardinals have a 13-6 straight-up record in their last 19.

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

Chicago’s prospects of victory in this game seem increasingly unlikely with Kyle Hendricks starting today. The seasoned right-hander seemed to be improving in June, but his recent concession of nine earned runs on 11 hits in his last 5 2/3 innings indicates a resurgence of his previous struggles.

Although Sonny Gray, the Cardinals’ RHP, has been outperforming Hendricks this season, his recent performance has been disappointing. The three-time MLB All-Star has a record of 0-1 and a 7.71 ERA in his last two starts, having allowed eight earned runs on 11 hits.

Simultaneously, Gray has a 1-0 record and a 1.77 ERA in his most recent 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)

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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 been remarkably steady in recent weeks when it comes to exceeding the Over on this prop. The five-time Silver Slugger third baseman has a .314/.340/.451 slash line in his last 13 games (51 at-bats), recording seven runs, six RBIs, 16 hits, and two home runs. He managed to surpass the Over on this prop in eight of those games and in four of his last six performances.

Given that Kyle Hendricks is allowing runs at a high rate, I’m confident that Arenado will manage to exceed his run total once more.