St. Louis Cardinals (31-34) vs. Chicago Cubs (32-35)
St. Louis Cardinals vs. Chicago Cubs 6/16/24 – As the St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs prepare to meet this Sunday at Wrigley Field, both teams are struggling with sub-.500 standings indicating inconsistent season performances. Set for 1:05 PM ET broadcast via Roku and scheduled at Wrigley Field at 1 PM, this clash draws immense interest due to both historical rivalry as well as potential implications on division standings. Here we provide expert handicapping tips in order to better comprehend this game.
The Cardinals, with an average batting average of .235 and slugging percentage of .371, have struggled to establish consistent offensive momentum this season; evidenced by their total run total of only 255 across games played. Their pitching staff boasts an ERA of 4.05 with an impressive 1.27 WHIP ratio and 543 strikeouts; though recent results demonstrate improvement; going 3-2 over five games while beating their spread better than before.
The Chicago Cubs (one win ahead) face similar issues. While their team batting average sits at an inferior .229, their on-base percentage (.311) has allowed for 286 runs thanks to better on-base percentage than Cardinals resulting in 29 total scores and 591 strikeouts on pitching staff; although recent game results suggest more efficiency with just three victories across five games played (2-1-3 record in their most recent five contests).
St. Louis Cardinals vs. Chicago Cubs 6/16/24 Game Info
| When: | Sunday, June 16, 2024, at 1:05 PM ET |
| Where: | Wrigley Field |
| TV: | Roku |
| Stream: | MLB.TV |
Miles Mikolas (4-6, 4.85 ERA) vs. Jameson Taillon (3-2, 3.09 ERA)
Miles Mikolas of the St. Louis Cardinals has had a testing season so far, compiling an inconsistent 4-6 record with an ERA of 4.85 reflecting inconsistency between performances. Yet his 1.19 WHIP indicates his ability to limit base runners when on form; these skills should prove crucial against an opposing lineup that shares similar hitting profiles to that of Cardinals like Cubs lineup which features six homerun hitters; Mikolas must take care not to give away too many homers early as he gives up 12 home runs already this season so his performance early could set tone for Cardinals victory!
However, Jameson Taillon of the Chicago Cubs offers more stability with a 3.09 ERA and record of 3-2 that demonstrate his ability to manage games more efficiently. His higher WHIP of 1.3 than Mikolas indicates some difficulties keeping hitters off base; however, this can be overcome through superior pitch control. Taillon has allowed less home runs and walks (14) compared to his Cardinal counterparts, underscoring his strategic pitching style which could frustrate Cardinal hitters. Given their struggles offensively, Taillon may prove particularly useful mixing speeds and locations into this game’s pitch mix–something the Cubs will count on from him for victory in what promises to be an intense series matchup.
MLB Odds/Point Spread: TBD, Total Odds: TBD
As betting odds and spreads are yet to be decided upon, bettors need to conduct extensive analysis on both teams before betting on this matchup. Both squads exhibit unpredictable performances that make betting particularly captivating in this encounter.
St. Louis Cardinals Betting Trends
Cardinals are 4-1 against the spread in their last five games, providing hope to bettors who want an edge when betting against road games against spread. Furthermore, their 15-20 road record against spread shows signs of struggle that could play into how things unfold at Wrigley Field.
Chicago Cubs Betting Trends
The Cubs boast a 19-18 record against the spread on road games against them; their recent performance against total points totals indicates they may underachieve scoring-wise at home games (going over in 15 of 31 of them, suggesting underperformance in scoring).
St. Louis Cardinals vs. Chicago Cubs 6/16/24 Betting Picks
Given the close nature of both teams’ performance metrics and recent forms, this game could go either way. However, based on the starting pitchers’ analysis and the Cubs’ slightly better control over the pitching stats, they might have a slight edge, especially with Taillon on the mound.
Considering both teams’ ability to surprise and the historical rivalry that often brings out unexpected results, the game is likely to be closely contested. The better pick might be leaning towards the Cubs, primarily due to their pitching advantage in this match-up. Prop bets and over/under will depend heavily on the announced odds, but considering both teams’ recent forms, betting on a lower total might be prudent. This free MLB game analysis suggests a tight game with the Cubs managing to outlast the Cardinals, primarily due to their slightly better pitching and home field advantage.
Free Pick and Prediction: Chicago Cubs 5, St. Louis Cardinals 3.