The Chicago Cubs welcome the Baltimore Orioles to Wrigley Field on Sunday for the finale of a three-game set as the hosts look to complete the sweep and extend their win streak to six.
Chicago has won seven of its last eight games on the strength of its pitching as the Cubs have allowed just 2.57 runs per game through their seven victories over that span. Jameson Taillon has struggled for Chicago this season, but can he turn a corner and help his club keep its streak alive as slight MLB odds underdogs?
Let’s dig into that and more in our Orioles vs Cubs MLB picks and predictions for Sunday, June 18.
Orioles vs Cubs odds
Orioles vs Cubs predictions
It was a hard-fought battle, but the Cubs took a 3-2 victory over the Orioles on Saturday thanks to a two-RBI performance from Nico Hoerner en route to their fifth straight win. It was a rare game where Ian Happ and Christopher Morel were each held without a hit and an RBI, as both players have been on fire for the Cubs of late.
Morel recorded an incredible 11 hits, three homers, 11 RBI, and 23 total bases while batting .500 through his previous six contests, while Happ had been nearly as hot with seven hits and 10 RBI over that span.
Morel missed the first month of the season due to injury but has gotten off to a hot start since returning to the lineup with 26 RBI in 31 appearances. The center fielder has made most of his hay against right-handed pitching, hitting .321 with nine of his 12 homers and 18 RBI coming against righties.
Fortunately for Morel, he’ll be facing righty Dean Kremer today as he looks to continue his hot streak at the plate. Morel has recorded at least four total bases in four of his last seven outings so I’d expect him to bounce back after a poor showing on Saturday.
My best bet: Morel Over 1.5 total bases (+145)
Orioles vs Cubs same-game parlay
Morel Over 2+ total bases (+145)
O’Hearn Over 2+ total bases (+110)
Kremer Under 4.5 strikeouts (-105)
While Morel has been the hottest bat for the Cubs, Ryan O’Hearn holds that title for the Orioles coming into today’s ballgame. The first baseman has 11 hits over his last six games to go along with 19 total bases. He’s recorded at least three total bases in four of his last six outings and should have a good shot at hitting the Over on 1.5 today.
We’ll round out the same-game parlay with the Under on 4.5 strikeouts for Kremer, who’s averaging just 0.86 Ks per inning this year. The right-hander has recorded four strikeouts or less in six of 14 starts this season.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
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Orioles vs Cubs moneyline and Over/Under analysis
Both clubs opened at -110 at most books, which comes as a bit of a surprise given that the Cubs took each of the first two meetings of the series. However, Chicago jumped up to +100 at a few places by Saturday night. Both Kremer and Jameson Taillon have struggled, but I’ll go with the hot team and take the hosts in this one.
Chicago has dominated this matchup in recent years, winning nine of the last 12 meetings overall and five of the last seven at home. The Cubs have also been electric offensively during their current hot streak, scoring 44 runs over the last week — the fifth-best mark in the majors. Even if Taillon has a rough outing, chances are Chicago’s bats will be able to bail him out and keep the Cubs in the game.
Most books had the total at 8.5 runs by Saturday night and while neither pitcher has been great, I’m leaning towards the Under for this one.
Between the two starters, Kremer probably has the better chance at keeping the total down, as he’s allowed two three runs or fewer in seven of his last eight starts. The Under is also 3-1-1 in the last five meetings between the two clubs.
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Trend to know
The Under is 4-0 in Chicago’s last four interleague games vs. a right-handed starter. Find more MLB betting trends for Orioles vs. Cubs
Orioles vs Cubs game info
| Location: | Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL |
| Date: | Sunday, June 18, 2023 |
| First pitch: | 1:05 p.m. ET |
| TV: | Peacock |
Starting pitchers
Dean Kremer (7-3, 4.74 ERA): Despite his impressive record, Kremer hasn’t been all that impressive this season, posting a 6.67 ERA in April and a 5.29 ERA so far in June. He was excellent in May with a 2.45 ERA over five starts but we saw him struggle again in his second-last start, allowing nine hits and six earned runs over just five innings against the Brewers on June 7.
Jameson Taillon (2-4, 6.70 ERA): Taillon really fell apart in May but has rebounded in June with his best month of the season through three starts so far. The right-hander began the month by giving up just one earned run to the Padres on June 2 and scattered six hits and three earned runs over six innings against the Pirates in his last appearance on June 13.
