Chicago Cubs at St. Louis Cardinals (London) Betting Preview
24 June 2023
Major League Baseball is headed to London, and the league is sending two very popular teams across the ocean. The Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals are set to play a two-game series, and it begins on Saturday.
The Chicago Cubs have been on a tear of late, as they just went to Pittsburgh and swept the Pirates for the second time this season. Chicago is still two games under the .500 mark, but they have been playing better than preseason expectations.
St. Louis has been the opposite this season, as the Cardinals are currently sitting at 11 games under .500. The Cardinals were supposed to control the NL Central Division this season, but they just haven’t delivered.
The Chicago Cubs are the moneyline betting favorites at -137 over the St. Louis Cardinals in the series opener.
Cubs Finding Some Offense
The Chicago Cubs spent some money in the offseason to improve that offense, and they have seen some good results during the 2023 campaign. Chicago has an on-base percentage of .329 this season, and that means that they are wearing out opposing pitchers.
Nico Hoerner is having a big season at the top of that lineup, as he is hitting .284 with a team-high 38 RBIs. Christopher Morel is having a huge season at the plate as well, and he provides some energy for this team.
The Cubs will be sending Justin Steele to the mound in this game, and he has gone 7-2 with a 2.71 ERA this season.
Cardinals Can’t Get Outs
The St. Louis Cardinals have struggled in many areas this season, but their inability to get outs is a real problem. St. Louis is coming into this game with a team ERA of 4.45, but they are going to have their veteran on the mound in this game.
Adam Wainwright has struggled so far in 2023, as he has gone just 3-1 with a whopping 5.66 ERA. Wainwright is a pitcher that has had plenty of success against the Cubs in the past, and he will look to deliver in this one.
Nolan Arenado comes into this game with 15 home runs and 50 RBIs to lead the team. There are some great offensive players on this team, and they are able to strike in a hurry.
Cards Steal Game 1
This is going to be a highly-competitive series, and these two teams are going to put on a good show for the fans in London. You shouldn’t expect a ton of offense in this game, as both teams will have a solid starting pitcher on the mound.
Even though the Cubs have been the best team this season, the St. Louis Cardinals still might be the most talented team. This is going to be a very different atmosphere with this game being in London, and the Cubs just won’t do a ton of hitting.
Don’t be surprised if the Cardinals win the season opener on Saturday, and taking them on the moneyline is the way to go.
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All Media on this page by Associated Press.
