Simulation Picks
Maximize Your Odds of Winning with SportsLine Model and Our Top-Rated Picks!
Maximize Your Odds of Winning with SportsLine Model and Our Top-Rated Picks!
Maximize Your Odds of Winning with SportsLine Model and Our Top-Rated Picks!
Understanding Public and Money
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Expert Picks
Jon Lester is 9-6 with a 3.63 ERA this season and he is 4-1 with a 2.91 ERA in his last seven starts. In July, he was 2-0 with a 2.77 ERA. Jack Flaherty is 4-6 with a 4.17 ERA this season and he is 0-1 with a 2.48 ERA in July. Jon Lester is 4-1 with a 1.98 ERA in eight career starts at Busch stadium while Flaherty is 1-2 with a 4.50 ERA in six career starts against the Cubs. The Cardinals have the 8th worst OPS in the league against lefties. Take the value in the Cubs.
The Cubs' issues with scoring runs has caused them tight situations in losing six of their last nine games. Over the past two games the Cubs went 18 innings scoring just three runs. The St. Louis Cardinals, meanwhile, have been able to get to the top in the division thanks to having won 13 of their last 19 games. Having the second-worst road record in the NL is certainly a factor in Thursday’s series finale against St. Louis. Yet look for the Cubs' offense to finally be the difference against pitcher Jack Flaherty, who has struggled multiple outings against the Cubs. Grab Chicago.
My projections see the Cubs toppling the rival Cardinals nearly 60 percent of the time in their Thursday clash, giving us major value on the slight road underdog. My data gives Chicago the edge behind veteran left Jon Lester. The Cubs are 7-2 when he starts Game of a series and 6-2 in his past eight outings against St. Louis.