MLB Friday June 14th Cardinals at Cubs Betting Preview
Moving and Shaking in the NL Central This Weekend
Milwaukee lost manager Craig Counsell in the offseason, but are still rolling to a 40-28 record and 1st place in the NL Central. The rest of the division is a logjam, with just 1.5 games separating 2nd place from last place. We will see if the June 14th Cardinals at Cubs betting matchup starts to show some clarity in this very mediocre division.
Of course Counsell’s new team, Chicago, has been very inconsistent this season as they are just 33-36 on the year. St. Louis (33-34) started off slow and were in the cellar in the Central for awhile, but have climbed into 2nd place. Oddsmakers still like the Cubs (-112) in this spot, but the Redbirds (-108) have some nice value as well in what looks like a toss-up game.
Why the Cardinals Have Value on Friday
It really doesn’t matter who the Cubs have written in as their starting pitcher in the series opener, St. Louis has value in the 7th, 8th, and 9th inning because of Chicago’s horrendous bullpen. The Cubs’ 4.50 ERA is the 6th worst in baseball and they have the third most blown saves (15).
The Cardinals might get an opportunity to get to the Chicago bullpen early on Friday, as starter Jordan Wicks came out of the bullpen for 3.1 IP on Saturday in his first appearance since going on the IL with a left forearm strain.
St. Louis goes with veteran Kyle Gibson (4-2, 3.76 ERA) on Friday. He’ll likely pitch into the 6th which is something the Cubs can’t boast in this game, but he’s also had 4.63 ERA in two June starts – losses to the Astros and Rockies.
Why the Cubs Have Value on Friday
Chicago’s bullpen is horrendous, but they’re hoping that a solid outing from Wicks (1-2, 4.44 ERA) helps put off going to the relievers as long as possible. It was a solid 3.1 IP out of the bullpen for the left-hander last time out, and he pitched well giving up just 3 hits and 1 ER after missing the entire month of May.
Wicks will be facing the Cardinals for the first time, and he might catch a break with Nolan Arenado possibly being out of the lineup after suffering a bone bruise on his hand on Thursday.
The Cardinals are coming off a 4-3 home stand, but against two last place teams in the Pirates and Rockies. St. Louis is also 16-19 on the road this season while the Cubs are 18-13 at Wrigley Field.
Free June 14th Cardinals at Cubs Betting Pick
Gibson is 0-4 in four career starts vs. Chicago, but this is a Cubs team in a rut after a 2-5 road trip. Wicks could be solid on Friday – or he could be horrible – and this Chicago bullpen has no confidence at the moment. Gibson will give St. Louis at least 6 innings, which makes them the play at a decent price.
Free Pick: Cardinals -108
