The Chicago Cubs offense has struggled to get a hit with runners in scoring position, and that could be a problem today when the Cubs meet the Kansas City Royals for Game 2 of their three-game series.
Kansas City hasn’t had any trouble scoring runs, but my Cubs vs. Royals predictions see them struggling today against a red-hot Shota Imanaga.
Read on for a breakdown of my MLB picks on Saturday, July 27.
Cubs vs Royals prediction
My best bet
Under 8 (-105 at BetMGM)
My analysis
The Chicago Cubs offense is in the cooler.
The Cubbies have scored only nine runs across their last seven games, getting shut out in three of those seven bouts.
Part of the Cubs trouble is they get hits, just not with runners in scoring position (RISP); they bat only .232 with RISP for a 27th-ranked 3.80 RISP per game — stranding seven in last night’s shutout loss.
Kansas City Royals starter Seth Lugo has surrendered eight earned runs across his last five starts (32 innings). The 34-year-old righty boasts fewer than two walks per nine, with 35 strikeouts across his past 32 stanzas, and will face six Cubs tonight with at least a 24% strikeout rate.
Kansas City has scored 6+ across its last four games but has a tough matchup against lefty Shota Imanaga. He has tremendous command with 30 punchouts across his past 28 innings on the bump, but the Royals boast one of the lowest strikeout rates against lefties (17.4%).
Our starting pitching has been stingy, but so have the respective bullpens; the Cubs ‘pen has surrendered two earned runs across their last 21 frames, while the Royals have allowed six across their previous 15 2/3 frames on the bump.
The Cubs offense is in the tank, Imanaga and the Cubbies bullpen have been lights out, and the two clubs have a combined 5-15 record to the Under across their last 10, which leads me to believe tonight’s matchup ends Under the number.
Cubs vs Royals same-game parlay (SGP)
Under 8
Royals moneyline
Bobby Witt Jr. Over 1.5 total bases
I like the Under quite a bit today, but I also like Kansas City to win this game, and probably because Royals SS Bobby Witt Jr. has been crushing baseballs.
Kansas City is 36-20 at Kauffman Stadium and has won five of its past seven home games. The Cubbies are 6-4 across their last 10 away games but the bats are ice cold, they’ve stranded too many RISP, and Lugo and the Royals pen will be too much for them.
Witt is riding an eight-game hitting streak and has cleared 1.5 total bases in seven of his last 10. His .331 xBA and .364 BABIP against lefties paired with a 50% hard-hit rate and the wind blowing out to left against a fly ball pitcher like Imanaga gives Witt a good chance of clearing 1.5 total bases.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
Cubs vs Royals odds
Cubs vs Royals live odds
Cubs vs Royals opening odds
- Run line: Chicago +1.5 (-210) | Kansas City -1.5 (+160)
- Moneyline: Chicago (+100) | Kansas City (-120)
- Over/Under: Over 8 (-115) | Under 8 (-105)
Cubs vs Royals spread and Over/Under analysis
- Cubs moneyline markets opened trading as low as +102 but are now priced at odds from +100 to +102.
- Kansas City moneyline markets are reporting odds of –118 to –122 off the -120 opening price.
- Over/Under markets trading Over 8.0 (-112) while Under 8.5 (-122) is seeing 55% of the bets and 54% of the cash at FanDuel on Under 8.5 (-122).
Bet on baseball at FanDuel, Get MLB.TV free!
Opt-in place a bet of $5+ on any MLB market until July 30 — and get a free subscription to MLB.TV until September 1!
FanDuel T&Cs
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Hope is here. GamblingHelpLineMA.org or call (800) 327-5050 for 24/7 support (MA). Call 1-877-8HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY).
21+ and present in select states. FanDuel is offering online sports wagering in Kansas under an agreement with Kansas Star Casino, LLC. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, KY, MI, NJ, OH, PA, IL, TN, VA, VT), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD), 1-800-522-4700 (WY), or visit www.1800gambler.net (WV).
Cubs vs Royals trend
The Cubs have hit the Under in 50 of their last 86 games (+13.90 Units / 15% ROI). Find more MLB betting trends for Cubs vs. Royals
Cubs vs Royals game info
| Location: | Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, MO |
| Date: | Saturday, 7-27-2024 |
| First pitch: | 7:10 p.m. ET |
| TV: | Marquee Sports Network, Bally Sports Kansas City |
| Cubs starting pitcher: | Shota Imanaga (8-2, 2.86 ERA) |
| Royals starting pitcher: | Seth Lugo (12-4, 2.38 ERA) |
Cubs vs Royals latest injuries
Cubs vs Royals weather
Not intended for use in MA.
Affiliate Disclosure: Covers may receive advertising commissions for visits to a sportsbook or betting site.
