Free MLB Playoff Prediction: Cubs vs Cardinals
Major League Baseball betting sees the Chicago Cubs taking on the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday October 9th at Busch Stadium, St. Louis, Missouri. Cappers Picks provides complimentary handicapping picks all MLB season long so stay tuned for more FREE MLB baseball predictions.
MLB Playoffs: NLDS
Tied 0-0
Chicago Cubs (1-0) vs. St. Louis Cardinals (0-0)
Date: Friday October 8
Time: 6:30 PM
Venue: Busch Stadium, St. Louis, Missouri
MLB Betting Lines: Chicago Cubs -102, St. Louis Cardinals -108
MLB Betting Total: 6.5
Probable Pitchers: Cubs LH Jon Lester vs. Cardinals RH John Lackey
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NL Central division foes, who are clearly very familiar with each other, get set to battle in Game 1 as the Cubs and Cardinals kick off the NLDS.
Chicago was boosted behind Jake Arrieta and his yet again dominating performance as he pitched a complete game shutout to get the Cubs past the Pirates in the NL Wild Card Game.
The Cardinals, who have become the MLBs least talked about team, just won 100 games in the regular season and cruised to a division title.
Chicago Cubs
Jake Arrieta lived up to all the hype and backed his 2nd half performance with another phenomenal outing in the NL Wild Card Game. The Cubs scored a run after a single and double to start the game and that was literally all they needed.
Now, Chicago will travel to rival St. Louis for a series as they try to continue their magical run.
The Cubs will throw LH Jon Lester here, who brings in a record of 11-12 with an ERA of 3.34. Lester’s record certainly doesn’t reflect how good the LH was in the season. He was on the end of some tough luck losses.
For the 2nd straight season, Lester pitched over 200 innings and struck out over 200 hitters. He’s had some success against Cardinals’ hitters Yadier Molina and Matt Carpenter as the duo is just 7 for 27 combined against him.
St. Louis
It’s near impossible to win 100 games on a season and not be talked about that much. However, the Cardinals found a way to do something pretty close to that as they flew under the radar for most of the season.
That is thanks in large part to them racing out of the gates quickly and pretty much never looking back. The Cardinals never lost the NL Central lead once they grabbed full control, but did need to wait till the final week to clinch the division.
They’ll throw their most consistent pitcher of the season, John Lackey here in Game 1.
Lackey brings in a 13-10 record with a stellar 2.77 ERA on the season. Lackey has been dominant inside Busch Stadium as he brings in a 9-4 home record with an ERA of only 1.93 over 17 home starts.
The Cardinals play as team inside Busch Stadium is something else. They went 55-26 SU on the season and opponents averaged a mere 3.09 runs per game against them.
MLB Betting Trends:
- Cubs are 5-1 in their last 6 Friday games.
- Cubs are 17-5 in their last 22 during game 1 of a series.
- Cubs are 39-12 in their last 51 games vs. a right-handed starter.
- Cardinals are 16-5 in their last 21 games vs. a left-handed starter.
- Cardinals are 8-3 in their last 11 vs. National League Central.
4* Free MLB Betting Prediction: Cardinals ML
It’s surprising to see the Cardinals price this low. Lackey has been dominant at home and at this price, it’s extremely worth a look.
MLB Baseball Free Score Prediction: St. Louis 5- Chicago 3.
Lackey turns in a quality start as the Cardinals grab a 1-0 lead.
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