Sunday Night Baseball: Cubs vs Cardinals Preview

One of baseball’s most historic rivalries returns to the national spotlight as the Chicago Cubs visit the St. Louis Cardinals in a Sunday night showdown on ESPN. With both teams fighting for position in the NL Central and the Wild Card race tightening, the stakes go far beyond bragging rights. The starting pitchers are expected to be left-hander Shōta Imanaga for the Cubs, while veteran Sonny Gray takes the mound for the Cardinals. Both teams will rely on their aces to set the tone in front of a packed Busch Stadium crowd. Expect the Cubs to be a slight favorite in MLB odds.

Cubs vs. Cardinals Game Preview

Chicago enters with a deep mix of young talent and veteran steadiness. One of the biggest storylines has been the emergence of Pete Crow-Armstrong, who’s become a force in center field both defensively and offensively. His speed and instincts change games, and he’s been productive at the plate, hitting for average and finding gaps. He joins a core that includes Seiya Suzuki, Ian Happ, and Michael Busch. Dansby Swanson continues to provide Gold Glove-level defense at shortstop, and Nico Hoerner has returned to form as a steady two-way player. The Cubs’ bullpen is still a question mark, but Chicago’s defense remains one of the most efficient in the National League. While the rotation hasn’t been dominant, the return of Imanaga strengthens the front end. He enters with a 3.12 ERA and solid command of a fastball-splitter combo that’s generated swings and misses at every level.

For the Cardinals, the lineup has leaned on Willson Contreras, Nolan Gorman, and most consistently, Brendan Donovan, who leads the team in batting average. Donovan brings contact and discipline at the plate and has been a stabilizing presence in a streaky offense. Masyn Winn continues to show flashes of brilliance at shortstop, while Lars Nootbaar adds power from the left side. With Nolan Arenado on the injured list, St. Louis has had to get creative in the infield and has relied on more role players to deliver in big spots. Pitching remains the wild card for the Cardinals, but Sonny Gray has been a reliable starter and leads the team with 10 wins. At home, the Cardinals will look to keep things close and give Gray just enough run support to lean on a patchwork bullpen. After trading away closer Ryan Helsley, the bullpen has operated by committee but St. Louis tends to keep games close at home, especially when they score early.

Cubs vs. Cardinals Predictions

This game projects as a classic low-scoring, tight affair. The Cubs hold a slight edge with their bullpen and defense, and they’ve proven capable of manufacturing runs even when the long ball isn’t available. Expect Crow-Armstrong to play a key role in the outfield and on the basepaths, while Busch or Suzuki could deliver a critical extra-base hit.

For St. Louis, the focus will be on putting runners on for Donovan and Gorman. If they can build a lead before the sixth, they’ll look to grind through the final frames using specific pitchers in their bullpen. But if the game stays tied late, the Cubs' pen and defensive efficiency give them the upper hand. Final score prediction: Cubs 5, Cardinals 3.

Cubs vs. Cardinals Betting Tips

Expect a near-even baseball betting moneyline in this Sunday night contest. There is a slight lean to the Cubs based on bullpen consistency and defensive execution. Look for the total to be around 8. The under has cashed frequently in this series, and Busch Stadium has held run scoring in check for most of the season. With Imanaga and Gray on the mound, both of whom excel at limiting hard contact, the under has even more value. In terms of props, Michael Busch is always a threat for 2+ total bases and Pete Crow-Armstrong for a stolen base or run scored prop has value. Brendan Donovan, with his contact-first approach, is a smart pick for a hit or a multi-hit prop.

Cubs vs. Cardinals Head-To-Head and Key Stats

The Cubs have won five of the last seven matchups between these teams, including a home sweep earlier in the year but St. Louis has held its own at home, winning six of the last ten at Busch Stadium in the rivalry. Seven of their last ten meetings have gone under the total. Chicago comes in with the better team ERA and ranks in the top five in the NL in defensive runs saved.