It’s clinching day for the Chicago Cubs as they’ve found their magic number to clinch the NL East down to one when they visit St. Louis on Tuesday night. Unfortunately for the Cardinals that means there’s not much they can do to prevent their hated rivals from celebrating at Busch Stadium. Milwaukee is hosting Cincinnati so conceivably the pomp and circumstances could be put off for a day or two – but at this point a Chicago division crown is pretty much an inevitability.
St. Louis is actually listed as -111 favorites as Jake Arrieta (14-9, 3.43) takes on the Redbirds’ Carlos Martinez (12-11, 3.63). Arrieta is making his second start since coming off the DL with a hamstring strain while Martinez looks to rebound after two poor outings in a row.
Cubs could clinch tonight! #gocubsgo⚾️ pic.twitter.com/dpyXBU4hEG
— Toons Bar & Grill (@ToonsChicago) September 26, 2017
9/26 MLB Free Pick – Chicago as the Underdogs
The Cubs paid off for bettors last night as they captured a 10-2 victory in the series opener as +129 underdogs. It was nachos to win St. Louis. Tonight bettors find themselves in a very similar situation with Chicago seemingly being favored on the road – yet are the underdog wager. It seems like the inevitable trap as the Cubs have won 8 of 10, but they are winding down on a 9 game road trip and fatigue could be starting to set in. So far the Cubs offense isn’t tiring however as they’ve tallied 25 runs in their last 5 games.
Arrieta had won 6 of 7 starts before being sent to the DL after his September 4th start.He returned last week against Milwaukee and was seemingly his usual late-season dominant self. Arrieta pitched 5 innings of 5 hit ball allowing one run. He threw 71 pitches but should be ready for an increased workload in the 9/26 free MLB pick – especially against St. Louis who he’s 1-1 against this season with a 3.00 ERA in three starts.
Does St. Louis Get the Win as -111 Chalk?
St. Louis’ starting pitcher for Tuesday night is Carlos Martinez, who has been shaky in his last two outings allowing 11 runs in his last 12IP. One of those starts was a September 15th outing in Chicago where the Cubs were able to rattle the ace for 7 runs but on only 6 hits. Martinez gave up 9 hits to Cincinnati his last start, but was aided by the Redbird offense as they pulled out an 8-5 win. Martinez has a 4.26 ERA against Chicago this year, allowing 12 ER over 25.1 IP.
What about his hair?
Carlos Martinez is having a better season than you think https://t.co/8heLODLIj1 via @ksdknews
— Scott (@TexasCardsFan1) September 21, 2017
9/26 Free MLB Pick Betting Matchup
The ‘under’ of 8 seems like a strong play in the 9/26 free MLB pick as two quality starters are on the mound. With the way the Cubs offense has attacked the baseball lately however it’s a very risky play. Instead we turn to the side where St. Louis is (somewhat) surprisingly a -111 home favorite after opening at -108. As stated, the Cubs can clinch tonight with a win – or a Milwaukee loss. The Cardinals don’t want this to happen on their home turf but 68% of the public thinks that’s exactly how it’s going to go down. Chicago has gone 12-4 this year against the Redbirds, but is only 4-3 in St. Louis. The line is pointing towards St. Louis for the 9/26 free MLB pick – staving off a celebration for at least a day.
Pick: St. Louis -111
