Chicago Cubs at St. Louis Cardinals Betting Preview
23 May 2021
Chicago got off to a slow start this season, but they have been one of the best teams in baseball in the month of May. The Cubs bring a 23-22 record into this game but are just 7-13 on the road.
The Cardinals sit atop the NL Central Division with a record of 26-19, and they have gone 15-9 at home. However, St. Louis has many teams trying to track them down, including their top rival from Chicago.
The St. Louis Cardinals are -133 on the money line in the series finale on Sunday Night Baseball.
Cubs Starting to Score
The Cubs have a top-five offense during May, and they lead the league in runs scored since mid-April. This offense is starting to wear down opponents once again, and they have plenty of power in the middle of the lineup.
Kris Bryant is one of the best players in baseball, and he is hitting .307 with 10 home runs and 28 runs batted in. Javier Baez had an RBI single in the Game 2 loss, and the Cardinals must also find a way to get him out.
Zach Davies is starting on Sunday, and he is 2-2 with a 5.58 ERA, but he has pitched much better in May. The Cubs have some big arms in the bullpen, and that unit can shut down a game if given a lead.
Wainwright on Mound For Cards
Veteran Adam Wainwright will start for St. Louis on Sunday, and the Cardinals need him to figure some things out. Wainwright has gone just 2-4 with a 4.63 ERA this season but always seems to shine on the biggest stage.
The bullpen for St. Louis has been a real problem, as that unit leads the league in walks. Closer Ale Reyes is 14-14 in save opportunities, but getting him the ball with the lead has been a challenge at times.
Nolan Arenado leads the Cardinals with 10 home runs and 31 RBIs, and his presence makes this a dangerous team. However, St. Louis will have to find more power as the season moves along to stay on top of the division.
Cubs Win Series on Sunday Night
This is one of the best rivalries in sports, and you could feel the excitement and tension in the second game of the series on Sunday. That game was tight throughout, but there should be a little bit more separation in this matchup.
Chicago has really started to swing the bats well, and they have had plenty of success against Wainwright in the past. However, the Cardinals will be forced to score some runs to keep up, and that just hasn’t been a strength of this St. Louis team.
The Cubs will have some hot bats on Sunday night, and they will simply ride the offense to a series win. Bet the Chicago Cubs -1.5 over the St. Louis Cardinals in the series finale on Sunday Night Baseball.
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