Chicago Cubs vs St. Louis Cardinals Picks, Prediction, Odds, and Line Movement for Tuesday July 28 2026
Tuesday night's MLB picks slate continues with Game 2 of a four-game series between the Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium, with first pitch scheduled for 7:45 p.m. ET. Chicago enters at 60-46 after winning Monday's opener 7-3, while St. Louis fell to 53-53 with its second consecutive loss. With the Cubs sitting as slight favorites and the total set at nine runs, this pitching matchup offers a clear angle for bettors before first pitch.
TLDR: Quick Picks and Prediction
- Spread Pick: Cubs -1.5 (+144)
- Total Pick: Over 9
- Projected Final Score: Cubs 6, Cardinals 5
Odds and Line Movement
Chicago is currently priced at -114 on the moneyline with St. Louis available at -105, while the total sits at nine runs with the over returning +100. The Cubs can also be backed at +144 on the -1.5 run line. Below is a breakdown of how the numbers and public betting percentages have moved since the overnight window.
Current Odds
| Date | Time | Chi. Cubs | St. Louis | Public ($, #) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 07/28 | 05:45:27AM | -114 | -105 | CHC 66%, 90% |
Line Movement - Moneyline
| Date | Time | Chi. Cubs | St. Louis | Public ($, #) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 07/28 | 05:45:27AM | -114 | -105 | CHC 66%, 90% |
| 07/28 | 05:45:27AM | -112 | -108 | CHC 87%, 94% |
| 07/28 | 05:32:38AM | -112 | -108 | CHC 89%, 93% |
| 07/28 | 01:13:15AM | -115 | -105 | CHC 95%, 91% |
| 07/28 | 01:13:15AM | -115 | -105 | CHC 95%, 91% |
| 07/28 | 00:04:31AM | -115 | -105 |
Line Movement - Total
| Date | Time | Over | Under | Public ($, #) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 07/28 | 00:04:31AM | 9o+100 | 9u-120 |
Cubs vs Cardinals Key Matchups and Game Preview
Cubs Rotation Concerns
Colin Rea starts for Chicago with a 7-7 record, 4.85 ERA and 1.42 WHIP through 105.2 innings this season. Rea has allowed 112 hits, 38 walks and 17 home runs while recording 81 strikeouts, leaving him vulnerable when opponents consistently put the ball in play.
Cardinals Pitching Profile
St. Louis counters with Michael McGreevy, who owns a 4-8 record despite producing a much stronger 3.07 ERA and 1.13 WHIP across 114.1 innings. McGreevy has permitted 102 hits, issued only 27 walks and allowed 15 homers, although his modest total of 74 strikeouts means he relies heavily on command and contact management.
Sign Up Get $30 Premium Picks Credit + Exclusive Offers
Subscribe Now
Chicago's Offensive Edge
Chicago holds the superior offensive profile with a .248 average, 548 runs, 133 home runs, a .339 on-base percentage and a .415 slugging percentage. Pete Crow-Armstrong has led the Cubs with 23 home runs while batting .288 with a .388 on-base percentage and .540 slugging percentage, while Dansby Swanson has contributed 61 RBIs.
St. Louis Offensive Production
St. Louis is batting .240 with 469 runs, 112 homers, a .315 on-base percentage and a .381 slugging mark. The Cardinals counter with Jordan Walker, who is batting .285 with 22 homers and 77 RBIs, and Alec Burleson owns a .286 average and .467 slugging percentage.
Cubs Injury Report
Chicago remains without Matt Shaw, reducing its infield depth, while relievers Hoby Milner, Riley Martin and Ethan Roberts are also unavailable and could leave the bullpen more exposed if Rea exits early. Shaw continues to recover from a hand injury, while Milner is working back from an appendectomy.
Cardinals Roster Absences
St. Louis is missing reliever JoJo Romero following an appendectomy, while Ramon Urias and Max Rajcic remain on the 60-day injured list.
Betting Trends: CHC and STL
Public money has favored Chicago consistently throughout the overnight window, with the share of tickets on the Cubs ranging from 90% to 95% across nearly every update. As of the most recent 07/28 update at 05:45:27AM, the market shows 66% of money and 90% of bets on Chicago, a notable dip in money share from the 87% to 89% range seen earlier that morning. The run line itself has moved within a tight band between -112 and -115 since the overnight low, settling at -114 for first pitch.
Key Injuries and Things To Know: CHC and STL
- Matt Shaw remains out for Chicago while recovering from a hand injury.
- Relievers Hoby Milner, Riley Martin and Ethan Roberts are unavailable for the Cubs.
- Reliever JoJo Romero is out for St. Louis following an appendectomy.
- Ramon Urias and Max Rajcic remain on the 60-day injured list for the Cardinals.
Cubs vs Cardinals Side and Over/Under Picks
McGreevy provides St. Louis with the starting-pitching edge, but Chicago's advantages in power, on-base ability and overall run production are difficult to overlook. Rea's hittability and both teams' bullpen concerns also support offense in a matchup featuring a modest total.
- Side Pick: Cubs -1.5 (+144)
- Total Pick: Over 9
Final Score Prediction
- Chicago Cubs 6, St. Louis Cardinals 5
How to Wager On Cubs vs Cardinals
Bettors weighing Chicago's run line and the Over in this four-game series matchup have a few resources to compare projections before placing a wager. For a data-driven cross-check on the offensive gap between these two lineups, exploring AI picks can help validate whether Chicago's power advantage holds up against McGreevy's command. Bettors can also review the Dimers review for another projection angle on Cubs vs Cardinals, or check the Oddible review for an additional resource to weigh against Chicago's spread and the Over before locking in a final decision.
Never Tried Picks and Parlays? Now Is Your Chance
- Get your first daily picks package for ONLY $1 using coupon code BUCK
- If the pick loses, we credit your account with 3 Flex Picks
- If the pick wins, we still give you 1 Flex Pick on the house
- Win or lose, you walk away ahead. One dollar. No catch.
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
New Users – Bet $5 Get $200 in Bet Reset Tokens for 5 Days
New DraftKings Customers: Spend $5+ Get $150 in Bonus Bets *Paid Within 14 Days
