FOX is providing a two-game primetime schedule for America’s 250th birthday, featuring the Cardinals vs. Cubs and Mets vs. Braves, each scheduled for 8:08 p.m. ET on Saturday, July 4.
In Friday’s opening contest of this weekend’s three-game series, the Cardinals torched the Cubs in a jaw-dropping 17-1 win, aided by 17 hits and 3 home runs. Chicago’s five-game winning streak was snapped, while St. Louis is now 4-1 over its last five matchups.
What can we expect for the Fourth of July’s primetime NL Central collision? Below, we’ll highlight a Cardinals vs. Cubs prediction, including the winner payouts, over/under, and key player picks for PrizePicks.
Celebrate your Fourth of July by making Cardinals vs. Cubs picks on PrizePicks!
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Cardinals vs. Cubs Prediction, Winner Payout, Over/Under – Saturday, July 4
Following Friday’s tilt in temperatures sitting in the mid-90s, Chicago has cooled down for Independence Day.
RotoGrinders’ MLB Weather Report is forecasting temperatures in the low 70s with a 57% chance of rain. If tonight’s battle avoids a rain delay, 6 mph winds will be blowing toward the first base path.
With that said, tonight’s over/under has dipped to 7.5 compared to Friday’s 10.5 over/under. That’s also in part due to a higher-quality starting pitcher matchup tonight, featuring Cardinals SP Kyle Leahy (6-4, 4.28 xFIP in 81.1) and Cubs SP Shota Imanaga (5-6, 3.94 xFIP in 98.1 IP).
Leahy has excelled over his last two starts by yielding 1 earned run and a 0.79 ERA in the split. The left-handed Imanaga touts a 4.63 ERA over his past two showings, including a 4.13 ERA over five starts in June.
Following Friday night’s dominant 17-1 win, will the Cardinals stay in the win column by riding the hot hand of Leahy?
Cardinals vs. Cubs Winner Payout, Over/Under – Saturday, July 4
Cooler weather has contributed to Friday’s 10.5 over/under dropping to 7.5 for Saturday’s contest in this three-game series.
The Cubs are favored to rebound from Friday’s embarrassing defeat vs. the Cardinals, featuring a 1.58x payout if they win, per PrizePicks Team Picks.
Check out the spread, over/under, and game winner payouts for the Cardinals vs. Cubs on Saturday, via PrizePicks Team Picks.
- Spread: Cubs -1.5 (2.22x payout)
- Over/Under: 7.5 (1.72x payout on Over)
- Game Winner Payout: Cardinals 2.22x | Cubs 1.58x
Make your Cardinals vs. Cubs prediction on the winner or over/under on PrizePicks Team Picks to earn real money — available in 35 states!
Team Picks data is live at the time of writing and is subject to change.
Cardinals vs. Cubs Prediction on Winner – 7/4/26
St. Louis stays in the underdog role tonight, but it maintains a potential advantage in Game 2 on Saturday night. Here’s what you need to know for your Cardinals vs. Cubs prediction for PrizePicks.
- The Cardinals have strung together impressive wins on their current road trip, including a 2-1 series at the Atlanta Braves, followed by Friday’s 17-1 dub in Chicago. Atlanta is third in the National League with a 51-35 record, and the Cubs were 9-1 over 10 games before Friday’s loss.
- St. Louis has totaled an absurd 14.0 runs per game over its last two matchups. That was aided by 6 total home runs during the two-game split.
- Cubs SP Shota Imanaga is vulnerable to the long ball, averaging 1.83 HR/9 and a 16.1% home run-to-fly ball rate (HR/FB) that are above the 1.17 and 11.6% league averages, per FanGraphs.
- Further, Imanaga gave up 7 HRs over five starts in June. Baseball Savant also gives the southpaw starter a 10.4% barrel rate allowed (17th percentile).
- The Cardinals stay productive against left-handed pitching, with a .316 wOBA (11th) and 100 wRC+ (tied for 11th) in the split.
- St. Louis even has the bullpen advantage over the previous 30 days, holding a 4.31 xERA (tied for 18th) compared to Chicago’s 4.92 xERA (27th).
- Rounded out by Cardinals SP Kyle Leahy allowing 1 earned run over his last two starts, St. Louis could be in a position to grab another win against its divisional rival.
Lock in your Cardinals vs. Cubs prediction on PrizePicks before the first pitch.
Cardinals vs. Cubs Picks, Player Stats for PrizePicks Today
Here are the top Cardinals vs. Cubs picks to target on PrizePicks on the Fourth of July. Today’s MLB picks for PrizePicks include Masyn Winn and Pete Crow-Armstrong.
Cardinals SS Masyn Winn vs. Cubs: 4.5 Hitter Fantasy Score
- Masyn Winn provided a big-time performance on Friday night, erupting for 2 hits, 1 home run, and 4 RBIs.
- Winn’s totaled 5 hits in his last 8 at-bats (.625) and has scored 6 runs over his previous five appearances.
- Facing a lefty is no sweat, as Winn carries a .309/.375/.412 slash line compared to .235/.309/.327 against right-handed hurlers.
- Over 14 career at-bats against SP Shota Imanaga, Winn has 5 hits (.357 batting average), 1 big fly, 2 RBIs, and a gaudy .571 SLG in the split.
- Holding an 11.8 hitter fantasy score per game over his previous five games, Winn is looking to join the fireworks on the Fourth of July.
Add Masyn Winn to your PrizePicks Lineup now.
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Cubs OF Pete Crow-Armstrong vs. Cardinals: 7 Hitter Fantasy Score
- Who isn’t backing Pete Crow-Armstrong right now? The Cubs’ star outfielder finished June with a mind-boggling .381/.468/.781 slash line.
- He’s logged a hit in four consecutive contests, including 2 hits in two of the four games.
- With a .429 batting average and 1.000 SLG over two games to start the month, Crow-Armstrong is looking to stay just as hot in July.
- In 8 career at-bats against Cardinals SP Kyle Leahy, Chicago’s outfielder has 4 hits (.500 batting average) and a .625 SLG.
- Leahy’s allowed a concerning 11.8% barrel rate (seventh percentile) and 50.2% hard-hit rate (second percentile), and Crow-Armstrong sports a .481 xSLG (85th percentile) and 50.4% hard-hit rate (90th percentile).
- While he has a high hitter fantasy score projection tonight, his 16.2 per-game average over the last five matchups yields confidence.
Add Pete Crow-Armstrong to your PrizePicks Lineup now.
Make Cardinals vs. Cubs Picks on PrizePicks
After dismantling the Cubs in the underdog role on Friday night, will the Cardinals’ hot play carry over to the Fourth of July? Weather has cooled in Chicago, perhaps meaning a lower run total, but St. Louis’ bats could stay scorching thanks to a favorable matchup against Shota Imanaga.
Don’t wait until the first pitch — make your Cardinals vs. Cubs picks on PrizePicks now and earn real money if you’re right.
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