NL Central bragging rights will be on the line in this week’s installment of Sunday Night Baseball betting when the St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs continue their extended series that will conclude Monday afternoon. This will be the Cardinals 27th game played over the last 24 days. They did however have a much needed day off on Thursday to get ready for this pivotal series. Chicago held a slim 3-2 lead in the season rivalry heading into Friday’s series opener, and will likely be installed short home chalk at online sportsbooks for this matchup with veteran left-hander Jon Lester set to square off against the up and coming Dakota Hudson. But should that be the case with the Cubs managing just one win the last seven times they hosted this bitter rivalry?
First pitch for the game between the St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs is scheduled for Sunday, September 6, 2020, at 7 p.m. ET from Wrigley Field. The matchup will be shown live on ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball telecast. You can bet on MLB Odds at BookMaker.eu every day of the season.
Odds Analysis
The Redbirds really amped up their execution immediately following their first run-in with the Cubs after splitting a doubleheader on August 19. Immediately after that, St. Louis went on to win five of its next seven games against the Reds and Royals. Then they went out and got swept in a doubleheader by the Pittsburgh Pirates of all teams, and the disappointment of those defeats carried over into the next series with the Cleveland Indians whom they dropped two of three to. The offense then erupted in the Great American Ball Park where it outscored the Reds 26-11 to win the series. They’ll invade Wrigley Field a .500 team at 14-14 which has equated to an $18 return on investment for MLB bettors.
The Cubs return home having seen their three-game win streak go up in smoke after losing the series finale in Pittsburgh as decided -168 favorites. In doing so, it dropped David Ross’ squad to 22-15 for the season and up a modest $207 for MLB bettors. The 10-game road trip ultimately finished with a 5-5 overall record which didn’t do much to improve upon their lead atop the NL Central standings. Though they currently sit in the catbird seat, the lead only checks in at 3.5 games. With that, it’s conceivably possible St. Louis overtakes them in the standings should they be unable to defend their turf much like they’ve failed two of the last three times they hosted series in their home digs.
Probable Pitchers
Dakota Hudson: Since failing to pitch through the fifth inning in each of his first three starts, the righty has offered up two straight quality starts the last few times he took to the starting bump. He tossed six innings of 2 ER ball at the Royals to help lead the team to the 6-5 win; the 3:3 K/BB ratio was bothersome however. That said, he bounced back nicely in his next turn by tossing seven innings of 7 K and 1 ER ball at the Reds to earn his first win of the season. Hudson has pitched to a 2.77 ERA and is only allowing the opposition to bat .187 against him. He’s been at his best on the road where he’s allowed six hits and 2 ER through 11 total innings, and has held the Cubs to a .167 BAA while logging a 2.89 ERA over 9.1 career innings.
Jon Lester: The lefty showed signs of wearing down last season in going 13-10 with a 4.46 ERA and 1.50 WHIP. Opponents teed off on him for a .294 BAA which matched the highest success rate since his rookie season back in 2006. Though he got off to a fantastic start to his 2020 campaign by allowing a total of 2 ER through 17 innings against the Reds, Pirates and Indians, it’s been nothing short of ugly in his last four turns in which he’s been ripped for 35 hits (6 HR) and 19 ER over his last 20 innings of work. His ERA currently checks in at a robust 5.11. Though he’s excelled against the Cardinals in the past in going 8-6 with a 3.26 ERA and 1.19 WHIP, he currently looks to be a different pitcher.
MLB Pick
Sorry Cubs’ fans. You know it. I know it. This team isn’t any good. Period! That lead atop the standings is going to be next to nothing once this series come to a close. In fact, they could possibly be trailing by a game early Monday night if they don’t play their hand correctly earlier in the series. Though St. Louis has been below average against left-handed pitching, it’s only stared back at a starting south paw three times this season. Lester is a shell of his former self, and I’m thoroughly convinced the Redbirds tee off on him for the whole world to see in this nationally televised matchup. Hit the Cardinals on the $-Line, alternate run-line and be sure to hit their team total over the impost as well. This one’s going to sting!
MLB Odds: Cardinals 10, Cubs 4
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