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, currently on a four-game winning streak, are heading to Busch Stadium. On the other hand, the Cardinals, following consecutive losses in a doubleheader against the Kansas City Royals, will try their best to prevent a third successive defeat.

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

This betting preview for the Cubs vs. Cardinals MLB game aims to provide answers 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 Under was hit in five of the Cubs’ last six games.
The Over was hit in four of the last six home games of St. Louis.
The Under was hit in seven of the last eight matchups between the Cubs and the Cardinals.

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

Tonight’s game represents the sixth encounter of the 2024 MLB season between these NL Central adversaries. The Cardinals have largely dominated, winning four out of the five previous games against the Cubs. However, the competition has been tighter than the series suggests, with St. Louis only leading Chicago by a score of 17-15 in total.

Both sides need a win to enhance their chances of making the playoffs. Although the Cardinals are presently the No. 2 wild-card seed in the NL, eight teams are hot on their heels within four games, including the Cubs who are only three games away from the last playoff position.

The Cubs are in a strong position with momentum in their favor, having won six of their last seven games. This includes triumphs over teams such as the Orioles and Philadelphia Phillies. Furthermore, they’ve been playing exceptionally well, outscoring their opponents by an average of 6.0 runs during their four-game winning streak.

Meanwhile, gauging the Cardinals’ performance is challenging. Despite their recent consecutive losses to the Royals, it’s important to highlight their 7-3 straight-up record in the 10 preceding games. This leaves room to determine if their losses on Wednesday were just an anomaly or not.

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

The Cardinals have an advantage with their 52.0% winning ratio against other NL Central clubs this season, compared to the Cubs’ 34.5% record. Indeed, Chicago has been defeated in 15 of its last 20 divisional games, while St. Louis has a 13-6 straight-up record in its last 19.

Also, remember that the Cubs have not won a single game out of their last three visits to Busch Stadium, with an average run margin of -1.7.

Chicago’s likelihood of victory in this game seems further away as Kyle Hendricks is starting today. The right-handed veteran seemed to be improving his performance in June. However, his recent record of nine earned runs on 11 hits in his last 5 2/3 innings indicates a resurgence of his previous struggles.

Despite Cardinals RHP Sonny Gray outperforming Hendricks this season, his recent performance has been underwhelming. The thrice-crowned MLB All-Star has a record of 0-1 and a substantial 7.71 ERA in his last two starts, having surrendered eight earned runs from 11 hits.

Meanwhile, 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 shown remarkable consistency in exceeding the Over on this prop in recent weeks. The third baseman, who has won the Silver Slugger award five times, has a slash line of .314/.340/.451 in his last 13 games (51 at-bats), with seven runs, six RBIs, 16 hits and two home runs. He managed to exceed the Over on this prop in eight of these games and in four of his last six appearances.

Given that Kyle Hendricks is struggling to prevent runs, I am confident that Arenado will manage to exceed his predicted performance once more.

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

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