Chicago Cubs vs. St. Louis Cardinals Betting Preview (July 21): Midwest Rivals Jockey for Position in the NL Central

So much for the All-Star Break giving teams a chance to set their starting rotations for the second half. We are less than a week into it and it seems like there are more question marks than certainties every morning. That sucks for those of us looking to hammer early weaknesses in the MLB betting marketplace.

On a day like today though, it is easy to hone in on a classic rivalry for our Game of the Day. Chicago might be reeling but when they play the Cardinals all is right with the MLB world. They have to be feeling good about last night’s 9th inning rally to win too. Maybe that was the signal to not sell off every asset they have.

The loss was a setback for the Cardinals, who are also kind of caught in the middle in terms of roster management, though not with as many impending free agents as the Cubbies. This team should be better. The bullpen has lots of great arms and yesterday’s meltdown was tragic.

The Cardinals' schedule sets up nicely for them to make up some ground in the NL Central. After hosting the Cubs they host Arizona for some freebies before a big series hosting Cincinnati. They need to get rolling before that series starts.

MLB Betting Matchup: Chicago Cubs (47-48) vs St. Louis Cardinals (47-48), ESPN, 8:15 PM ET

Probable Pitchers

• Chicago Cubs: Kyle Hendricks (12-4, 3.65 ERA)
• St. Louis Cardinals: Adan Wainwright (7-6, 3.71 ERA)

Cubs vs. Cardinals Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Chicag0 +105, St. Louis -126
• Total: OVER 8 (-115), Under 8 (-105)
• Run Line: Chicago +1.5 (-183), St. Louis -1.5 (+161)

Odds are via BetOnline Sportsbook as of Wednesday, July 21 at 10:17 am ET. For MLB betting odds for today’s other matchups, check out our MLB odds.

Cubs vs. Cardinals Betting Consensus

• Moneyline: Chicago 40%, St. Louis 60%
• Total: Over 20%, Under 80%
• Run Line: Chicago 80%, St. Louis 20%

Chicago Cubs vs St. Louis Cardinals July 21 MLB Betting Matchup: Picks, Odds, Stats and More

Chicago Cubs vs. St. Louis Cardinals Betting Outlook

Which Way Do the Cubbies Go?

If the Cubs turn around their season they will point to the game last night. It is just not very often that you score six runs in the 9th inning, to win, on the road, against your rival. More likely it is just a blip and the Cubs make all the moves we are expecting them to make over the next 10 days and this is a totally different team. For now, they still have a full deck though.

3B Kris Bryant left the game last night amidst a lot of speculation, none of which has really been addressed. They said it was fatigue but why not give him a day off rather than pull him mid-game. This is just one example of why backing the Cubs is so dicey right now. It is too hard to determine who will be out there for them.

The Cardinals Look to Answer the Same Question

The Cardinals and the Cubs have the same record. This franchise has been so steady that it is hard to believe they don’t find a way into the NL Central race but if that is not the case they will look at last night’s loss as the tipping point. They do not have the expected roster churn of the Cubs. There is just a lot of talk about Andrew Miller being a piece, but he has rarely met expectations in St. Louis.

St. Louis has really struggled with the bats this season. It is a big surprise too because this is a very veteran lineup, one of the most established in the NL. That is why they were the MLB betting favorite to win the NL Central prior to the season. I thought they would be in the top five on offense for sure. Instead, they are not even averaging four runs per game. The offense has been rising across the league but this group is still struggling.

Kyle Hendricks Home vs. Away:

• Home: 6-3, 3.90 ERA, 55.1, 39 Ks, 12 BBs
• Away: 6-1, 3.40 ERA, 55.2 IP, 45 Ks, 11 BBs

Adam Wainright Home vs Away:

• Home: 4-4, 2.84 ERA, 73 IP, 69 Ks, 16 BBs
• Away: 3-2, 5.35 ERA, 38.2 IP, 37 Ks, 16 BBs

Two veteran hurlers take the hill in this matchup. It is amazing that “Waino” is still a viable MLB arm, I kind of gave up on him a couple of years ago but at home, those numbers can play. With a better offense, who knows. For Hendricks, the peripherals are never elite but he wins, or the Cubs win when he pitches. He always gives his team a chance. Wainwright has 270 innings against the Cubs over the years and a 17-13 record in 43 starts.

Chicago Cubs vs. St. Louis Cardinals Best Bet

St. Louis Cardinals ML

Though the momentum of last night’s win could be a thing I am more inclined to lean on a pitcher who is solid at home and a team that is not looking to plunder its roster. There is just more certainty to go with on the St. Louis side.

July 21 Betting Matchups

MLB Betting Matchup: Baltimore Orioles vs. Tampa Bay Rays, Bally Sports Sun, 12:10 PM ET

Probable Pitchers

• Baltimore Orioles: Alexander Wells (1-0, 3.86 ERA)
• Tampa Bay Rays: Michael Wacha (2-2, 5.14 ERA)

Baltimore Orioles vs. Tampa Bay Rays July 21 Matchup: Picks, Odds, Stats and More

MLB Betting Matchup: San Diego Padres vs. Atlanta Braves, MLB Network, 12:20 PM ET

Probable Pitchers

• San Diego Padres: Chris Paddack (5-6, 5.49 ERA)
• Atlanta Braves: Kyle Muller (1-2, 3.45 ERA)

San Diego Padres vs. Atlanta Braves July 21 Matchup: Picks, Odds, Stats and More

MLB Betting Matchup: New York Mets vs. Cincinnati Reds, Bally Sports Ohio, 12:35 PM ET

Probable Pitchers

• New York Mets: Marcus Stroman (6-8, 2.79 ERA)
• Cincinnati Reds: Jeff Hoffman (3-4, 4.61 ERA)

New York Mets vs Cincinnati Reds July 21 Matchup: Picks, Odds, Stats and More

MLB Betting Matchup: Kansas City Royals vs. Milwaukee Brewers, Bally Sports Wisconsin, 2:10 PM ET

Probable Pitchers

• Kansas City Royals: Brad Keller (6-9, 5.97 ERA)
• Milwaukee Brewers: Eric Lauer (3-4, 3.83 ERA)

Kansas City Royals vs. Milwaukee Brewers July 21 Matchup: Picks, Odds, Stats and More

MLB Betting Matchup: Seattle Mariners vs. Colorado Rockies, ATT Sportsnet Rocky Mountain, 3:10 PM

Probable Pitchers

• Seattle Mariners: TBD
• Colorado Rockies: Austin Gomber (6-5, 3.68 ERA)

Seattle Mariners vs. Colorado Rockies July 21 Matchup: Picks, Odds, Stats and More

MLB Betting Matchup: Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Arizona Diamondbacks, MLB Network, 3:40 PM ET

Probable Pitchers

• Pittsburgh Pirates: Max Kranick (1-1, 3.38 ERA)
• Arizona Diamondbacks: Madison Bumgarner (4-6,5.35 ERA)

Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Arizona Diamondbacks July 21 Matchup: Picks, Odds, Stats and More

MLB Betting Matchup: San Diego Padres vs. Atlanta Braves, MLB Network, 5:20 PM ET

Probable Pitchers

• San Diego Padres: Reiss Knehr (0-0, 4.91 ERA)
• Atlanta Braves: Bryse Wilson (2-3, 5.34 ERA)

San Diego Padres vs. Atlanta Braves July 21 Matchup: Picks, Odds, Stats and More

MLB Betting Matchup: Miami Marlins vs. Washington Nationals, MASN, 7:05 PM ET

Probable Pitchers

• Miami Marlins: TBD
• Washington Nationals: Erick Fedde (4-7, 5.32 ERA)

Miami Marlins vs. Washington Nationals July 21 Matchup: Picks, Odds, Stats and More

MLB Betting Matchup: Philadelphia Phillies vs. New York Yankees, YES Network, 7:05 PM ET

Probable Pitchers

• Philadelphia Phillies: TBD
• New York Yankees: TBD

Philadelphia Phillies vs. New York Yankees July 21 MLB Betting Matchup: Picks, Odds, Stats and More

MLB Betting Matchup: Boston Red Sox vs. Toronto Blue Jays, Sportsnet, 7:07 PM ET

Probable Pitchers

• Boston Red Sox: Garrett Richards (5-5, 4.91 ERA)
• Toronto Blue Jays: Robbie Ray (8-4, 2.93 ERA)

Boston Red Sox vs. Toronto Blue Jays July 21 Matchup: Picks, Odds, Stats and More

MLB Betting Matchup: Texas Rangers vs. Detroit Tigers, Bally Sports Detroit, 7:10 PM ET

Probable Pitchers

• Texas Rangers: Jordan Lyles (5-6, 5.20 ERA)
• Detroit Tigers: Matt Manning (1-3, 6.95 ERA)

Texas Rangers vs. Detroit Tigers July 21 Matchup: Picks, Odds, Stats and More

MLB Betting Matchup: Cleveland Indians vs. Houston Astros, Bally Sports Great Lakes, 8:10 PM ET

Probable Pitchers

• Cleveland Indians: Eli Morgan (1-3, 7.86 ERA)
• Houston Astros: Lance McCullers Jr. (7-2, 2.80 ERA)

Cleveland Indians vs Houston Astros July 21 Matchup: Picks, Odds, Stats and More

MLB Betting Matchup: Minnesota Twins vs. Chicago White Sox, NBC Sports Chicago, 8:10 pm ET

Probable Pitchers

• Minnesota Twins: Michael Pineda (3-5, 4.11 ERA)
• Chicago White Sox: Dylan Cease (7-5, 4.15 ERA)

Minnesota Twins vs Chicago White Sox July 21 Matchup: Picks, Odds, Stats and More

MLB Betting Matchup: San Francisco Giants vs Los Angeles Dodgers, Sportsnet LA, 10:10 PM ET

Probable Pitchers

• San Francisco Giants: Logan Webb (4-3, 3.54 ERA)
• Los Angeles Dodgers: Julio Urias (12-3, 3.78)

San Francisco Giants vs. Los Angeles Dodgers July 21 Matchup: Picks, Odds, Stats and More