Chicago Cubs vs St Louis Cardinals Prediction, Preview and Odds - 08/08/2025

Game Time: 8:15 pm ET, Friday, August 8, 2025

Venue:  Busch Stadium, St. Louis, MO

Where to Watch:  MLBN

DraftKings:  Moneyline odds:  Cubs -150, Cardinals +123; Over/Under:  8.5 runs

Bet365:  Moneyline odds:  Cubs -150, Cardinals +125; Over/Under:  8.5 runs

BetMGM:  Moneyline odds:  Cubs -155, Cardinals +130; Over/Under:  8.5 runs

Chicago Cubs:  66-48 (2nd place, NL Central)

St Louis Cardinals:  58-58 (4th place, NL Central)

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Chicago Cubs:  5-5 last 10

St Louis Cardinals:  4-6 last 10

The Cubs are entering this series off a win and lost their 3-game series against the Cincinnati Reds 2-1 in their last series. They enter this game with a 66-48 record overall and have a road record of 30-26. This is the series opener of a 3-game series with the Cardinals on Friday and they have Thursday off as a day of rest. Their offense ranks 4th in the MLB with a .762 OPS. Rookie pitcher Cade Horton was their starting pitcher on Wednesday while Matthew Boyd is making his start in this game on Friday. He is 11-4 with a 2.34 ERA this season. His team lost their last 2 straight games this season with him making an appearance. In his last MLB regular season start, he allowed 0 ER, 0 HR, and 0 BB with 8 SO on 4 hits through 7 IP against the Baltimore Orioles.

The Cardinals are entering this series off a win and won their 3-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers 2-1 in their last series. They enter this game with a 58-58 record overall and have a home record of 32-24. This is the 1st game of a 3-game series with the Cubs on Friday and they have Thursday off as a day of rest. Their offense ranks 20th in the MLB with a .707 OPS. Matthew Liberatore was their starting pitcher on Wednesday while Michael McGreevy is making his start in this game on Friday. He is 3-2 with a 5.08 ERA this season. His team won 4 of their last 5 games this season with him making an appearance. In his last MLB regular season start, he allowed 4 earned runs, 1 homer, and 1 walk with 4 strikeouts on 7 hits through 6 innings pitched against the San Diego Padres.

The current betting odds have the Cubs listed as a favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Cubs have looked really good in their games this season with their 66-48 record overall which has them right near the top of the NL Central with one of the best records in the entire MLB. They have been a good road team too with their 30-26 road record this season. Meanwhile, the Cardinals haven't looked great in their games this season with their 58-58 record overall which has them right near the bottom of the NL Central. They have looked a lot better in their own ballpark though with their 32-24 home record this year. The Cardinals just beat the Dodgers in their last series, but they are still 4-6 in their last 10 games and the Cubs do have the better pitching matchup too. The Cubs are going with Boyd in this one and he has looked great this season. He is 11-4 with a 2.34 ERA and has been one of their best starters this season. His team has struggled lately as they have lost 2 games in a row now with him starting, but he is coming off a great start in which he gave up no runs and that has been a common theme for him. The Cardinals are going with McGreevy in this one and he hasn't looked great this season. He is 3-2 with a 5.08 ERA and has been giving up quite a few runs in his starts. The team has had a ton of success lately as they have won 4 of the last 5 games with him starting, but he did give up 4 earned runs in his last start and that has been a common theme for him. This is a good situation for Boyd to get another win after the team lost their last 2 games with him starting and the Cardinals are due for regression with McGreevy on the mound. The best way to place a bet here is on the Cubs to win this game. 

Cubs Cardinals Prediction:  Our MLB Pick for Friday, August 8, 2025 (8:15 pm ET start time) is Cubs 7 Cardinals 2.

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Chicago Cubs: 233-205 (+12 units) on the moneyline in all games. 149-98 (+14.8 units) on the moneyline as a favorite of -110 or higher. 174-146 (+20.8 units) on the moneyline against right-handed starters. 24-18 UNDER on the road vs. a starting pitcher who gives up 0.5 or less HR's/start.

St Louis Cardinals: 211-229 (-31.5 units) on the moneyline in all games. 111-107 (-20.5 units) on the moneyline in home games. 61-74 (-21.9 units) on the moneyline against division opponents. 53-31 UNDER as an underdog of +125 to +175.

Chicago Cubs:  M. Soroka (SP) Day To Day - Shoulder. M. Amaya (C) Sixty Day IL - Oblique. J. Taillon (SP) Fifteen Day IL - Calf. E. Morgan (RP) Sixty Day IL - Elbow. J. Assad (RP) Sixty Day IL - Oblique. J. Steele (SP) Sixty Day IL - Elbow.

St Louis Cardinals:  N. Arenado (3B) Ten Day IL - Shoulder. J. King (RP) Fifteen Day IL - Oblique. Z. Thompson (RP) Sixty Day IL - Lat.

“I think he realized he probably got a little overamped in that start and [thought about], ‘Does extra effort help me?’ He was able to process that super quickly and make the necessary adjustments, and that's clear-headed. The ability to make a fast adjustment is an example of a great, clear-headed competitor. You see those things and you see them happen so quickly, it's impressive.” - Craig Counsell after his team’s win against the Reds in their game on Wednesday.

“They don’t give in and that’s a learned skill. You have to learn how to [come from behind] and create an identity around it. There are games you’re going to win and games you’re going to be behind. But if you don’t give in, you can snatch a couple of those.” - Oliver Marmol after his team’s win against the LA Dodgers in their game on Wednesday.

Nico Hoerner (R) 2B

Justin Turner (R) 1B

Seiya Suzuki (R) DH

Carson Kelly (R) C

Pete Crow-Armstrong (L) CF

Willi Castro (S) RF

Ian Happ (S) LF

Dansby Swanson (R) SS

Matt Shaw (R) 3B

Brendan Donovan (L) 2B

Iván Herrera (R) DH

Alec Burleson (L) 1B

Lars Nootbaar (L) LF

Masyn Winn (R) SS

Nolan Gorman (L) 3B

Jordan Walker (R) RF

Pedro Pagés (R) C

Victor Scott II (L) CF

Batting Average:  Nico Hoerner (.292)

Hits:  Nico Hoerner (122)

Home Runs:  Pete Crow-Armstrong (27)

RBI:  Seiya Suzuki (84)

Stolen Bases:  Pete Crow-Armstrong (29)

Wins:  Matthew Boyd (11)

Saves:  Daniel Palencia (15)

ERA:  Michael Fulmer (0.00)

Batting Average:  José Fermín (.350)

Hits:  Brendan Donovan (115)

Home Runs:  Willson Contreras (16)

RBI:  Willson Contreras (64)

Stolen Bases:  Victor Scott (29)

Wins:  Sonny Gray (10)

Saves:  Ryan Helsley (21)

ERA:  Riley O'Brien (1.84)

Managers:

Chicago Cubs: Craig Counsell (2nd season)

St Louis Cardinals: Oliver Marmol (4th season)