- Matchup: Chicago Cubs vs St. Louis Cardinals
- Scheduled Date: Thursday, July 30, 2026
- Venue: Busch Stadium, St. Louis, MO
- Broadcast: Cardinals.TV
- Betting Odds: Chicago (-152) St. Louis (+126)
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The St. Louis Cardinals (53-54) are set to face off against the Chicago Cubs (61-46) at Busch Stadium this Thursday. The betting line indicates Chicago at -152, while St. Louis sits at +126. The total runs have been established at 8.5. Pitchers slated to start include Shota Imanaga for Chicago and Andre Pallante for St. Louis.
The Cubs have hit a total of 178 doubles and launched 133 home runs. Their current slugging percentage is .417, having struck out 923 times and drawn 463 walks. Collectively, the Chicago Cubs are averaging 5.2 runs per game, placing them 2nd in the league. With 524 RBIs and 919 hits this season, they sport a batting average of .250 and an on-base percentage of .341.
The Cubs currently have a team ERA of 4.20 (ranked 14th in the MLB), with their pitchers collecting 827 strikeouts. They have conceded 161 home runs and allowed 470 runs (12th in MLB). The pitching staff has issued 324 walks this season, resulting in a FIP of 4.72. Chicago has surrendered 883 base hits (averaging 8.3 hits per 9 innings), resulting in 445 earned runs. Their strikeout-to-walk ratio stands at 2.55 with a WHIP of 1.27.
Chicago’s relief pitchers have come into play with base runners 107 times and have faced high-leverage situations 103 times. Their bullpen has amassed 38 holds (29th in the league), achieving a save rate of 56.4% in 83 save opportunities, converting 22 saves while missing 17 chances. This season, the Cubs have inherited 154 runners, with 31.8% scoring. A total of 349 relief pitchers have completed innings for the Cubs this year.
Defensively, the Chicago Cubs have recorded 2,860 putouts, 989 assists, and 41 errors. Their fielding percentage is .989, ranking 2nd in professional baseball, with a total of 81 double plays. They convert 71.8% of balls in play into outs over 8,580 innings, making them 3rd in the majors.
Imanaga has pitched 439 innings in the MLB, boasting 404 strikeouts in his career. With an impressive 31-19 record, his FIP is 3.35 after facing 1,748 batters. Imanaga holds an ERA of 3.40 (allowing 166 earned runs) and a career WHIP of 1.032, surrendering 370 hits (7.6 per 9 innings) and issuing 83 walks.
The St. Louis Cardinals have hit 112 home runs this season, scoring 459 RBIs. They’ve recorded 144 doubles, drew 343 walks, and registered 471 runs. St. Louis maintains a .315 on-base percentage and a .239 batting average this season. Their team slugging percentage is .380, averaging 4.40 runs per game (16th in MLB), with 819 strikeouts (27th in MLB) and 856 hits.
The Cardinals’ pitching staff has a WHIP of 1.349 and a FIP of 4.12, ranking 23rd in total hits allowed with 930. They have given up 484 runs this season, posting a 4.21 ERA (447 earned runs). Currently, their K/BB ratio is 7.80 (825 strikeouts against 358 walks). They have yielded 106 home runs and allow 4.56 runs per 9 innings (16th in MLB).
The St. Louis bullpen features a 35.9% inherited scoring rate from their 170 inherited runners. They have made 127 high-leverage appearances and 116 innings with runners on base. In 122 save situations, they have achieved 69 holds but incurred 19 blown saves, resulting in a save percentage of 62.0%, placing them 16th in the MLB. This year, St. Louis has deployed 359 relief pitchers.
Over 8,598 innings played, the Cardinals have a defensive efficiency of 69.1% (22nd in the league). They’ve turned 97 double plays and have a fielding percentage of .988 (5th in professional baseball), alongside 994 assists, 46 errors, and 2,866 putouts this season.
Pallante has allowed 576 hits in his MLB career, with 404 strikeouts over 572 innings. He has surrendered 268 earned runs, maintaining a WHIP of 1.377 and a FIP of 4.2. His strikeout-to-walk ratio is 1.91, and he has faced 2,452 batters with a career record of 35-35 and a 4.22 ERA, allowing 9.1 hits per nine innings.
Which team will seize victory tonight against the spread or moneyline?
Insider Pick: Choose St. Louis (+126) and the under on 8.5 runs
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