The Cubs and the Cards have both been up and down this season and ultimately ending up below .500 and side by side in the NL Central. The Cubs have dominated the Cards and are 3-1 over their last 4 games head-to-head and 5-2 over their last 7.

Probable starters Steele for the Cubs and Mikolas for the Cards have had some impressive outings over their last 5 starts. Both have a 2.40 ERA, while Steele has lasted an inning longer on average. In his last two starts against the Cubs Mikolas is 1-1 with his latest outing against them resulting in 5IP and 5 ERs against. Steele is 3-0 vs the Cards in his last 3 this season, lasting 6 innings in each, including a July 21st win. Mikolas gave up 11 hits and 5 ERs in his most recent loss to the Cubs July 22nd.

Both teams have been at or near the top in avg. and OPS since the All-star break, but the Cubs have been more productive. In their last 7 the Cubs have a positive run diff/9 innings of 2.7 while the Cards’ is only 0.1. Additionally, the Cubs average twice as many hits and BB vs. RH starters this season as the Cards do vs. LH starters. It’s clear that the Cubs should be good value as a play for this one.