In game two of a three game weekend set, the Chicago Cubs (39-31, $546) will venture into enemy territory looking for the upset in the series against MLB’s top team, the St. Louis Cardinals (47-24, $1,941).
ODDS ANALYSIS
The Cardinals have won four of six against the Cubs this season, though a year ago, these teams were pretty even head-to-head despite very different records, with Chicago holding their own, winning nine of 19.
Both of these teams figure to play some of their best ball this series as each tends to pick it up against divisional rivals.
Each team enters this game having won four of their last five, though the Cardinals get the edge based on recent past and based on home field as they’re 26-7 at home while the Cubs are 19-17 on the road.
PITCHING MATCHUP
Tsuyoshi Wada is scheduled to pitch on Saturday, though he came out of his last start in the third inning because of shoulder soreness.
The potential injury is a cause for concern though, if healthy, Wada has proven a serviceable starter, going 1-1 with a 3.73 ERA and 1.227 WHIP in seven starts.
In his brief major league career, Wada has only faced the Cardinals one time, allowing four runs—three earned—in six innings.
While the injury poses an issue for Wada, so does his counterpart, right-handed pitcher Michael Wacha, who at 23-years old has developed into the team’s ace in Adam Wainwright’s absence.
This year, Wacha is 9-3 with a 2.85 ERA and 1.087 WHIP in 88 1/3 innings of work.
The youngster’s last outing was his worst of the season, however, giving cause for concern as he went just five innings, allowing five runs to the lackluster Phillies’ offense.
Wacha has topped out at just 107 innings in any big league season so far, so as the middle of the season approaches fatigue does become an issue.
QUOTE TO NOTE
Despite his season worst outing, manager Mike Matheny does not seem concerned about his young pitcher, saying this after the game:
“It was one of those days. He, at times, would find the feel for it. And he was having trouble early on establishing the strike zone with his fastball low. He was getting into hitters counts and having to challenge and they were finding the good part of the bat.”
LIVE/SITUATIONAL BETTING
The Cardinals are still baseball’s best team, but they’ve had some trying injuries including that of Matt Holliday that have diminished the team’s offense.
The team still has the ability to put runs on the board, putting up 22 in two games against the Phillies, but outside of those two games have struggled with it a bit, scoring three or fewer in six of the team’s last 10 games.
Inconsistent offense aside, the Cards have solid options up and down the lineup, save for centerfield where Jon Jay has a .586 OPS and Peter Bourjos his hitting just .243. Still, there are seven regulars with a .709 OPS or better.
Offensively, the Cubs can keep up with the Cardinals. The two teams are neck and neck in runs scored with Chicago putting up just two more this whole year, though they’ve played one less game.
Of course with Anthony Rizzo (.992 OPS) and Kris Bryant (.860 OPS) this team has a lot of thump in the middle of the order, but it’s the other guys that Joe Maddon is able to rotate in and out that has done a bulk of the work.
Chris Denorfia (.766 OPS) and Chris Coghlan (.767 OPS), for instance, have proven to be very useful.
PROP TALK
Four separate Cubs players have found success against Michael Wacha, each in an 11 at bat sample size. One of those hitters is Junior Lake who is sidelined with an injury, but if you are looking for someone to bet on, consider one of the other two options: Starlin Castro and Anthony Rizzo.
Castro has had an up-and-down year offensively and defensively, but is 5 for 11 against Wacha with a double and a home run. Rizzo, on the other hand, is 4 for 11, also delivering a long ball.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
This one should go to the Cardinals simply for the Wacha versus Wada matchup. While Wada is good, Wacha has shown the ability to dominate the opposition. The Cubs should be able to scratch out a couple runs, but likely not enough to pull out the win, particularly considering the Cards’ bullpen is the best in the NL.
St. Louis 5, Chicago 3
The MLB odds for this game will be available first at BookMaker Sportsbook. Gamble on the game between every half inning with BookMaker’s live betting feature. Along with an adjusted in-game moneyline, you can wager on what will happen in the next at-bat or how many runs will be scored in the next inning. Live betting is the most exciting way to play!
Load your betting bankroll from your smartphone with BookMaker’s new cashier feature! Depositing and withdrawing funds from your account has never been easier. BookMaker's live betting platform means you always have access to odds and lines to every sporting event. Click here and start wagering today! First pitch for the game between the Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals is scheduled for Saturday, June 27, 2015, at 7:15 p.m. ET at Busch Stadium. The matchup will be televised regionally on FOX.
