The St. Louis Cardinals host the Chicago Cubs for three games after getting a split with the Brewers to remain tied for first place in the National League Central.
The Cubs have lost three of their last seven and 14 of their last 17. It doesn’t get any easier, as they send struggling pitcher Kyle Hendricks to the mound to try and change their losing ways.
Can the Cardinals keep rolling or will the Cubs even the season series with St. Louis at three games apiece?
Find out with our free MLB betting picks and predictions for Cubs vs. Cardinals on June 24.
Cubs vs Cardinals odds
This odds widget represents the best odds available for each betting market from regulated sportsbooks.
The Cardinals opened at -149 and it went up to as high as -164, though WynnBet has kept the opening line. The Cubs started at +130 and it has risen to +140. The total went from 8.5 to 9 and a few sportsbooks.
Use the live odds widget above to track any future line movements right up until first pitch and be sure to check out the full MLB odds before placing your bets.
Cubs vs Cardinals predictions
- Prediction: Cardinals ML (-149)
- Prediction: Over 8.5 (-120)
- Best bet: Goldschmidt to hit a HR (+360)
Picks made on 6/24/2022 at 12:00 p.m. ET.
Click on each pick to jump to the full analysis.
If you're signing up for a new sportsbook for the 2022 MLB season, here are two of the best bonuses* available:
A) New users at FanDuel can bet $5 and get $200 in free bets — regardless of if your bet wins or loses! Sign Up Now
B) New users can get two risk-free bets up to $2,000 at PointsBet! Sign Up Now
*Eligible USA locations only
Cubs vs Cardinals game info
• Location: Busch Stadium, St. Louis, MO
• Date: Friday, June 24, 2022
• First pitch: 8:15 p.m. ET
• TV: Apple TV+
Cubs vs Cardinals betting preview
Starting pitchers
Kyle Hendricks (2-6, 5.43 ERA): The 32-year-old right-hander hasn’t gotten past the fifth inning in his last five games and has given up 21 runs on 36 hits in that stretch. In his last start against the Atlanta Braves, he went 4 1-3 innings and gave up six runs, including two homers, on eight hits.
Andre Pallante (2-2, 1.69 ERA): Since moving from the bullpen to the starting rotation on the first of June, the rookie has had three starts, going 1-1 with a 1.80 ERA. In those three outings, Pallante has allowed three earned runs on 12 hits, striking out 10, and walking seven. The 23-year-old’s main weapon is a four-seam fastball that has been clocked regularly at 97 mph. He will also employ a slider and curve to keep batters off balance.
Weather
Be sure to monitor the gametime conditions with our MLB weather info.
Key injuries
Cubs: Marcus Stroman SP (Out), Daniel Norris RP (Out), Michael Hermosillo CF (Out), David Bote 3B (Out), Nick Madrigal 2B (Out), Frank Schwindel 1B (Out), Seiya Suzuki LF (Out).
Cardinals: T.J. McFarland RP (Out), Jordan Hicks RP (Out), Tyler O’Neill RF (Out), Corey Dickerson LF (Out), Yadier Molina C (Out), Steven Matz SP (Out).
Find our latest MLB injury reports.
Betting trend to know
The Cubs are 4-10 in the last 14 meetings against the Cardinals. Find more MLB betting trends for Cubs vs. Cardinals
Cubs vs Cardinals picks and predictions
Our side and total predictions are based upon our analysis of the line and total in this game. Our best bet is our favorite pick across all markets.
Moneyline analysis
Hendricks has not been nearly as effective as he was to begin the season and the Cardinals should take advantage of that. The righty has allowed 21 runs in his last five games and now faces a potent Cardinals offense.
This will be the first time Hendricks faces St. Louis this season. He is 12-3 against the Cardinals in his career, though he has lost his last two starts against them.
St. Louis is sixth in batting average at .255, tied for second in hits with 625, and fourth in runs with 346. The Cardinals also are 13th in home runs with 76 and fourth in RBI with 329.
Hendricks’ main concern will be Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado. The Cardinals’ 1-2 punch has been brutal on opposing pitchers.
Goldschmidt leads the team in every offensive category. He is first in batting average at .340, which is also second in the majors. He has 88 hits, 17 of which have been home runs. He has 61 RBI, a .423 on-base percentage, and 23 doubles. Against Hendricks in his career, Goldschmidt is 13-41 with nine doubles.
Arenado has a .281 batting average, 72 hits, 14 homers, and 72 runs. He also has a slugging percentage of .516. He has gone 10-36 with three homers against Hendricks in his career.
Prediction: Cardinals moneyline (-120 at WynnBet)
Over/Under analysis
Pallante has been the surprise of the season. The rookie began the year in the bullpen but was promoted to a starter at the beginning of the month. His ERA is second in the majors, though not official because he doesn’t have the minimum number of innings.
Pallante should be able to handle the Cubs, but I do believe he will allow a few runs to Chicago.
The Cubs don’t have any eye-popping offensive statistics but are capable of scoring runs. They are 16th in batting average at .244, 13th in hits with 580, 18th in runs with 298, and 20th in RBI with 278.
The key is Hendricks. He has been disastrous the last month and it wouldn’t be surprising if he hit the Over by himself. The 32-year-old has allowed four or more runs in five of his last nine starts. In his last outing, he allowed six runs on eight hits to the Braves.
The Over is 5-1 in the last six games for the Cubs on the road against a team with a winning record. The Over is also 4-0 on the road when the total is set at 7.0-8.5.
The Cardinals have hit the Over five of their last six home games against a right-handed starter. They are also five of six on the Over against a pitcher with a WHIP greater than 1.30. Hendricks has a 1.35 WHIP.
Prediction: Over 8.5 (-120 at WynnBet)
Best bet
Paul Goldschmidt likes to hit home runs. Hendricks likes to serve up dingers. The two should intersect in Friday’s game.
Goldschmidt has 17 homers on the season and had 10 of them in May but only has six so far this month. His last one came two games ago.
Hendricks gave up two long balls in his last outing against the Braves. Last month, he allowed seven homers.
Hendricks has been having an issue with his control lately, so at +360, this Paul Goldschmidt prop has great value.
Pick: Paul Goldschmidt to hit a home run (+360 at DraftKings)
Did you know that if you parlayed today’s MLB Cubs vs. Cardinals picks, you could win $130.93 on a $10 bet?
Use our MLB parlay calculator to create your own parlays and see their potential payouts.
