Chicago Cubs vs St Louis Cardinals Prediction, Preview and Odds - 08/09/2025

by Rod Pearson

Friday, Aug 08, 2025
Game Time: 7:15 pm ET, Saturday, August 9, 2025
Venue:  Busch Stadium, St. Louis, MO
Where to Watch:  FOX


Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks

DraftKings:  Moneyline odds:  Cubs -115, Cardinals -105; Over/Under:  8.5 runs
Bet365:  Moneyline odds:  Cubs -115, Cardinals -105; Over/Under:  8.5 runs
BetMGM:  Moneyline odds:  Cubs -115, Cardinals -105; Over/Under:  8.5 runs

Season Record

Chicago Cubs:  66-48 (2nd place, NL Central)
St Louis Cardinals:  58-58 (4th place, NL Central)

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Recent Form
Chicago Cubs:  5-5 last 10
St Louis Cardinals:  4-6 last 10



Chicago Cubs vs St Louis Cardinals Preview and Analysis


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 2nd game of a 3-game series with the Cardinals on Saturday with the series opener still to be played on Friday. Their offense ranks 4th in the MLB with a .762 OPS. Matthew Boyd is their starting pitcher on Friday while Colin Rea is making his start in this game on Saturday. He is 8-5 with a 4.23 ERA this season. His team lost 2 of their last 3 games this season with him making an appearance. In his last MLB regular season start, he allowed 2 ER, 0 HR, and 1 BB with 4 SO on 5 hits through 4.2 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 2nd game of a 3-game series with the Cubs on Saturday with the 1st game of this series still to be played on Friday. Their offense ranks 21st in the MLB with a .707 OPS. Michael McGreevy is their starting pitcher on Friday while Andre Pallante is making his start in this game on Saturday. He is 6-8 with a 4.57 ERA this season. His team lost 6 of their last 7 games this season with him making an appearance. In his last MLB regular season start, he allowed 2 earned runs, 1 homer, and 3 walks with 4 strikeouts on 5 hits through 5 innings pitched against the San Diego Padres.


Cubs vs Cardinals Prediction

The current betting odds have the Cubs listed as a slight 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. As good as the Cardinals have looked at home this season, they are only 4-6 in their last 10 games and the Cubs do have the better pitching matchup here. The Cubs are going with Rea in this one and he hasn't been bad this season. He is 8-5 with a 4.23 ERA and has gone through some really good stretches this year. The team has struggled more with him lately as they have lost 2 of their last 3 games with him starting, but he only gave up 2 earned runs in his last start and hasn't been giving up many runs lately. The Cardinals are going with Pallante in this one and he hasn't looked good this year. He is 6-8 with a 4.57 ERA and has been giving up quite a few runs all year. He only gave up 2 earned runs in his last start, but that hasn't been a common theme for him this year and the team hasn't had a lot of success with him lately either, losing 6 of their last 7 games with him on the mound. The Cubs also have one of the best offenses in the MLB so all signs point to the Cubs in this one. The best way to place a bet here is on the Cubs to win this game. 

Cubs Cardinals Prediction:  Our MLB Pick for Saturday, August 9, 2025 (7:15 pm ET start time) is Cubs 8 Cardinals 3.
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MLB Betting Trends


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. 13-7 UNDER vs. NL teams allowing 4.5 or more runs/game on the season.

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. 37-25 UNDER at home against division opponents.

Key Injuries


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.


Notable Quotes


“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.


Starting Lineups


Chicago Cubs
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

St Louis Cardinals
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

Statistical Leaders


Chicago Cubs
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)

St Louis Cardinals
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)


Rod Pearson

About the Author:

Rod Pearson has been a rabid sports fan his entire life.  He grew up in Ontario, and was skilled in both hockey and baseball, and pitched in an elite baseball league for many years.  In 2022, Rod decided to hang up his glove, so that he could write about the sports he loves -- but from a gambling perspective.  Join Rod every day as he breaks down the games to find the best betting value.

All photographic images used for editorial content have been licensed from the Associated Press.

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