Cardinals vs. Cubs Prediction and Odds for Saturday, June 4 (Go OVER with some Questionable Pitching on Both Sides)

NL Central rivals clash on Saturday afternoon when the Chicago Cubs host the St. Louis Cardinals in Game 3 of their four-game weekend series. The pair split the first two games in epic fashion with a combined 31 runs scored in the last 18 innings between these two. The Cardinals are in striking distance of the Brewers with a two-game gap heading into the weekend. The Cards can pull even if they take the last two games against the Cubs who are sitting in fourth place in the division. 

Here are the odds for this game, courtesy of WynnBET Sportsbook. 

Cardinals vs. Cubs Odds, Run Line, and Total

Run Line:

• Cardinals: -1.5 (-+130)
• Cubs: +1.5 (-160)

Moneyline:

• Cardinals: -120
• Cubs: +102

Total:

• Total 8.5 (Over -115/Under -105)

Cardinals vs. Cubs Prediction and Pick

I’m not sure there is a term for the opposite of a pitching duel. Yet that is exactly what I expect this game to be. At best, we’re in for a bullpen game from both teams. The Chicago Cubs will start Matt Swarmer this afternoon in his second appearance of 2022. Things went okay in his first start against the Brewers. He gave up four runs -- one earned -- off of five hits and two home runs. Swarmer fanned six while walking one. The 28-year-old rookie could stick around if he pitches well enough here, but I’m far from sold on Swarmer being a full-time player in this league. Despite my opinions, Swarmer was great at Triple-A Iowa with a 2.08 ERA and 0.94 WHIP in 39 ⅓ innings. 

As of Saturday morning, the Cardinals have yet to announce a starter. This leads me to believe that they will go with an opener in this game and hope the bullpen can hold it together. The Cardinals have a decent bullpen with a 3.72 combined ERA. But, I am not a fan of openers/bullpen games no matter how good a team’s bullpen is. The good thing for the Cardinals that their offense has been on a tear, going OVER the total in seven of their last ten games against right-handed starters and 5-2 in their last seven games on the road. The Cubs are also playing a lot of high-scoring games lately and the over is 7-2 in their last nine at Wrigley. 

With all the question marks surrounding tonight's work at the plate, I like my chances to nail this total on Saturday afternoon. 

Pick: OVER 8.5

Follow all of Matt De Saro’s betting picks HERE