While the Cardinals were forced to change managers, the Cubs are riding high with theirs. Indeed, Joe Maddon is the best skipper in the game. While at Tampa Bay Maddon made his name as a premier manager. Maddon led the low budget Rays to massive baseball odds today surprise profits. As a matter of fact, Tampa Bay was 2008 American League champions. The end result of Maddon’s tenure was that it was the Rays glory era. But what he did next was just as impressive. Correspondingly he led the Cubs to their first World Series title in 108 years.
St. Louis Cardinals vs. Chicago Cubs
Date and Time: Saturday, July 21, 2018, 7:15 p.m. ET
Location: Wrigley Field, Chicago, Illinois
2018 MLB Betting Odds at SBG:
Cardinals vs. Cubs TV Coverage: FOX
Chicago Cubs
Although the Cubs are two years removed for their historic championship they maintain top form. As a matter of fact, Chicago remains profitable with baseball odds today. So too are they among the best home teams in MLB. Consider their 28-15 record at Wrigley Field in 2018. Definitely that mark gives meaning to the Wrigley moniker of the “Friendly Confines.” In comparison to most teams Maddon’s Cubs show great balance. Few teams are as well rounded as the Cubs. More emphatically there are numerous ways Chicago can skin the cat.
Cubs Good Form
Certainly, pitching always remains key for sports betting success. And not many teams can top the Cubs on the hill. To show Chicago ranks fourth best in MLB for staff earned run average. While also ranking fourth best for bullpen ERA. Yet the Cubs are just as effective at the plate. Maddon’s club ranks fourth in the big leagues for run production. Additionally, they rank third for OPS and second for batting average. Presently the Cubs are in good form with four wins in their last five games. Also, four of those five games went over the total.
St. Louis Cardinals
Conversely the sluggish Cardinals have dropped four of their last six. And fired Mike Matheny as manager due to such poor play. While Matheny is not the entire blame he bears a good portion of the burden. It is true that the Redbird roster has been gradually depleted over the years. Yet it’s just as true that their quality of play has deteriorated under Matheny. For one thing no other team in the majors has committed as many errors. Further St. Louis ranks a poor 25th in MLB for stolen bases. In sum its all indicative of a mediocre team.
From the Pitcher’s Mound
Right hander Daniel Poncedeleon is the scheduled starter for St. Louis. Which will be his first start of the season. Consequently, pitching your first game of the year at Wrigley provides a considerable challenge. Meanwhile the Cubs are expected to start right hander Duane Underwood. Previously in one start he has a 2.25 ERA.
Wrigley Field
What’s more problematic for the Cardinals is Wrigley Field. Take the case of 19 losses in their last 29 games at the not so Friendly Confines.
Matchup to Watch
True, St. Louis will be an enticing baseball odds today dog. To summarize their level of play doesn’t justify the price. In short, the Cubs are simply in far better form.
MLB Betting Odds Picks
To sum up the Cubs are the power pick against St. Louis.
MLB Betting Online Pick: Chicago Cubs
MLB Betting Online Score Prediction: Cubs 6, Cardinals 2
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