Cardinals vs. Cubs (June 3): Mikolas, Cards to even up series vs. Cubbies

After a series-opening win over the rival St. Louis Cardinals last night, the Chicago Cubs have won three straight games against the two best teams in the NL Central.

This afternoon, they will aim to make it four in a row as they take on the Cards in the second game of their four-game series at Wrigley Field.

Last night, pitcher Keegan Thompson improved to 6-0 on the season, and the bats bashed out a dozen hits, including three homers, on the way to a 7-5 win.

This afternoon, the home team will hope to get another solid effort from Marcus Stroman on the mound and another productive performance from the bats against Miles Mikolas, who has excellent career numbers against the Cubs.

St. Louis Cardinals vs. Chicago Cubs Betting Odds and Matchup Information

Matchup Information

• Matchup: St. Louis Cardinals (29-22, 13-11 road, 2nd in the NL Central) vs. Chicago Cubs (22-29, 10-17 home, 4th in the NL Central)
• Venue & Location: Wrigley Field (Chicago, Illinois)
• Date: Friday, June 3, 2022
• Time: 2:20 p.m. Eastern Time (1:20 p.m. local time)
• How to Watch Today’s Cardinals vs. Cubs Game: MLB Network

Cardinals vs. Cubs Pitching Matchup

• St. Louis Cardinals: Miles Mikolas (2022: 10 starts, 3-3, 2.67 ERA)
• Chicago Cubs: Marcus Stroman (2022: 8 starts, 2-4, 3.95 ERA)

Cardinals vs. Cubs Odds

Odds are via BetOnline. Odds from our other top reviewed and recommended online sportsbooks may also be included in this article.

Moneyline

• St. Louis Cardinals -102
• Chicago Cubs -116

Over/Under

• OVER 8 (-120)
• UNDER 8 (-102)

Run Line

• St. Louis Cardinals -1.5 (+164)
• Chicago Cubs +1.5 (-200)

Pitchers’ Duel on Tap Between Mikolas, Stroman

Last night, the Cardinals and Cubs combined for four homers, 12 runs, and 20 hits. There should be fewer fireworks in this afternoon’s matchup thanks to the two starting pitchers that will be on the hill.

Mikolas had his worst start of the season this past Sunday against the Milwaukee Brewers, allowing six runs and nine hits (including two homers) in 5.2 innings of the Cardinals’ 8-0 loss at Busch Stadium.

But in four road starts, he is 2-1 with a 1.54 ERA, and he heads into this start having done very against the Cubbies since joining the Cardinals. In nine starts, he is 3-2 with a 1.66 ERA, with 13 runs allowed (10 earned) in 54.1 innings.

In four starts at Wrigley Field, the hurler also known as “Lizard King” is 1-1 with a 2.19 ERA.

Stroman, meanwhile, has turned things around after a couple of rough outings in April. Across his last five starts, Stroman is 2-2 with a 1.80 ERA. In 30 innings, he has allowed just eight runs (six earned), 20 hits, and five walks.

The Cubs have lost all four of his home starts and six of his eight starts overall, but the 31-year-old is certainly doing his part.

St. Louis Cardinals vs. Chicago Cubs Prediction and Best Bets

Cardinals vs. Cubs Prediction: Cardinals to win

Cardinals vs. Cubs Best Bets: Cardinals ML (-102 at BetOnline) & UNDER 8.5 (-110 at Bovada Sportsbook, MyBookie & BetMGM)

This is perhaps neither here nor there, but the Cubs are 0-5 in Friday games this season. This will only be Stroman’s second Friday start of the season, but he did lose his previous one against the Colorado Rockies on April 15, when he allowed five runs in four innings in a 6-5 loss.

By comparison, the Cardinals are 5-2 on Fridays this season, including a 4-0 mark in road games.

But if those little factoids aren’t enough to sway you, the Cardinals are 13-8 after a loss, including a 6-3 mark in their last nine games following a loss. The Cubs are 7-3 in their last ten games following a win, but they are only 4-7 as a home favorite this season.

St. Louis didn’t come through with yesterday’s prediction and best bet, but look for them to do so this afternoon.