The Chicago Cubs haven’t had an answer for the San Francisco Giants through the first three games of their four-game set, and the North Siders will hope to salvage a win in the finale with ace Shota Imanaga toeing the rubber Thursday afternoon.
Imanaga took an extra day of rest after allowing 10 earned runs last time out to the New York Mets, and the San Fran lineup could prove to be another tough test. The Giants rank fifth in baseball in wRC+ against left-handed hurlers.
San Fran will counter with righty Jordan Hicks, and my Cubs vs. Giants predictions and MLB picks narrow in on his matchup with Chicago first baseman Michael Busch.
Cubs vs Giants prediction
My best bet
Michael Busch Over 1.5 hits, runs, and RBI (+110 at DraftKings)
Best odds available in your region
My analysis
Chicago Cubs first baseman Michael Busch has been climbing the lineup card to hit second against right-handed pitchers the past five games, so he should have multiple looks against struggling San Francisco Giants righty Jordan Hicks later this afternoon.
Busch sports a rock-solid .346 wOBA, 126 wRC+, and .192 ISO against righties this season, and Hicks has served up a .332 wOBA to left-handed hitters. Additionally, the San Fran righty hasn’t been sharp of late, and Hicks has surrendered a .302 batting average and .384 wOBA while posting a 5.83 xFIP against left-handed bats across his past five starts.
Hicks has also allowed five or more hits and 15 runs across four of those five noted appearances. The outlier was a tidy five-inning showing against the Cubs on June 17, when he pitched around four hits and four walks without allowing a run. I’m expecting the quick turnaround to face Hicks again to work in the favor of Busch and the rest of the Chicago lineup on Thursday.
The wind is forecasted to be blowing out to left field at Oracle Park, so Busch is in a ripe spot to snap out of a mini funk with the platoon advantage against Hicks.
Cubs vs Giants same-game parlay (SGP)
Michael Busch Over 1.5 hits, runs, and RBI
Jordan Hicks Over 2.5 earned runs
Cubs first five innings moneyline
All three legs of the same-game parlay correlate, and I’m expecting the Cubs to snap out of their offensive funk against the struggling Hicks.
With the Chicago bullpen searching for answers (23rd-ranked 4.26 xFIP in June), I’m adding the first five moneyline to round out the SGP. After all, Cubs starter Shota Imanaga has allowed two runs or fewer in 10 of his 14 starts this season.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
Cubs vs Giants odds
Cubs vs Giants live odds
Cubs vs Giants opening odds
- Run line: Chicago -1.5 (+150) | San Francisco +1.5 (-185)
- Moneyline: Chicago -115 | San Francisco -105
- Over/Under: Over 7.5 (-105) | Under 7.5 (-115)
Cubs vs Giants spread and Over/Under analysis
- There has been a small move to the San Fran moneyline at multiple shops, with bet365 moving from an opening Giants -105 to -110 as of Thursday morning.
- While I’m not expecting huge moves in the ML market, it is a little surprising to see a lack of early support for Chicago and Imanaga considering how well the rookie southpaw has pitched this season.
- This total is a consensus 7.5, with the Over carrying the higher vig. Additionally, there’s been steam to the Over, with Pinnacle moving from an opening Under 7.5 -112 to Over 7.5 -112 as of Thursday morning.
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Cubs vs Giants trend
Across his past five starts, Hicks has surrendered a .302 batting average and .384 wOBA while posting a 5.83 xFIP against left-handed batters. Find more MLB betting trends for Cubs vs. Giants
Cubs vs Giants game info
| Location: | Oracle Park, San Francisco, CA |
| Date: | Thursday, 6-27-2024 |
| First pitch: | 3:45 p.m. ET |
| TV: | MARQ, NBCSBA |
| Cubs starting pitcher: | Shota Imanaga (7-2, 2.96 ERA) |
| Giants starting pitcher: | Jordan Hicks (4-4, 3.24 ERA) |
Cubs vs Giants latest injuries
Cubs vs Giants weather
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