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Cubs vs Cardinals Picks and Odds – Davies vs Wainwright (May 23)

John Perrotto

by John Perrotto in MLB Baseball

Updated May 23, 2021 · 6:39 AM PDT

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Zach Davies throwing a pitch during a baseball game.
Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Zach Davies (27) delivers in the first inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves Monday, April 26, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
  • The St. Louis Cardinals are -132 home favorites over the Chicago Cubs on Sunday night at Busch Stadium
  • Zach Davies (2-2, 5.58 ERA) will start for the Cardinals against Adam Wainwright (2-4, 4.63)
  • A look at the Cubs-Cardinals matchup with a prediction can be found below

It will be the deciding game of a three-game series between National League Central rival when the Chicago Cubs visit the St. Louis Cardinals at 7:08 p.m. ET Sunday at Busch Stadium.

Zach Davies (2-2, 5.58 ERA) is scheduled to pitch for the Cubs against Adam Wainwright (2-4, 4.63).

The Cubs (23-22) lost for just the second time in their last seven games when they were edged by the Cardinals 2-1 on Saturday night. Chicago is 12-7 in May and each loss has been by one run.

The division-leading Cardinals (26-19) have won three of their last four games.

Cubs vs Cardinals Odds

Team Moneyline Runline Total at DraftKings
Chicago Cubs +114 +1.5 (-177) Over 8.5 (-110)
St. Louis Cardinals -132 -1.5 (+148) Under 8.5 (-110)

Odds as of May 23rd.

Merry May for Davies

Acquired from the Padres in the offseason trade that sent ace Yu Darvish to San Diego, veteran Zach Davies has righted his season in May.

Davies is 1-0 with a 2.11 ERA in four starts this month, though he has just nine strikeouts in 21.1 innings while walking seven. He was 1-2 with a 9.47 ERA in five April starts.

In his last start against the Washington Nationals on Tuesday in Chicago, Davies pitched five innings in a no-decision. He allowed three runs on seven hits with one walk and one strikeout.

Davies has pitched six full innings only once in nine starts in 2021, though he has given up two runs or less five times.

Davies has a 2-3 career record against the Cardinals with a 4.55 ERA in 10 starts. In five outings at Busch Stadium, he is 0-1 with a 3.67 ERA.

The Cubs should feel good if Davies can turn the game over to the bullpen with a lead. Chicago relievers have a 20.2-inning scoreless streak.

Cardinals vs Davies Career Stats

Player AB H HR RBI K AVG
Tommy Edman 5 1 0 0 2 .200
Paul Goldschmidt 12 4 0 2 1 .250
Nolan Arenado 16 5 1 2 0 .313
Yadier Molina 22 8 0 2 2 .364
Harrison Bader 4 4 1 2 0 1.000
Justin Williams 0 0 0 0 0
Edmundo Sosa 0 0 0 0 0
Lane Thomas 0 0 0 0 0

Cardinals rookie right field Dylan Carlson was a late scratch from the lineup Saturday night with back tightness. Lane Thomas took his spot.

St. Louis has scored four runs or less in seven of their last nine games.

Waino Looks for Bounce Back

Wainwright will be starting on extra rest. The Cardinals are hoping more time off will rejuvenate the veteran right-hander after a rocky last outing.

On May 15, the Padres pounded Wainwright for six runs and eight hits in four innings as they routed the Cardinals 13-3 at San Diego. The 39-year-old gave up three home runs, walked three and struck out two.

Homers have been a problem for Wainwright this season as opponents have taken him deep nine times in eight starts and 46.2 innings. Wainwright has pitched at least six innings three time and allowed two earned runs or less four times.

Wainwright has pitched 51 times against the Cubs, making 42 starts, and has a 17-13 record with a 4.12 ERA. The 17-year veteran is 2-2 with a 3.00 ERA in five home starts in 2021.

If the Cardinals get to the ball to closer Alex Reyes, there is a good chance they will win. He has converted all 14 save opportunities this season and allowed one run in 24 innings for a 0.38 ERA.

Cubs vs Wainwright Career Stats

Player AB H HR RBI K AVG
Joc Pederson 3 1 0 0 1 .333
Kris Bryant 33 8 1 3 8 .242
Willson Contreras 19 3 2 4 6 .158
Anthony Rizzo 62 14 1 10 7 .226
Javier Baez 31 6 0 2 9 .194
Ian Happ 14 8 4 6 3 ,571
David Bote 10 2 0 2 3 .200
Nico Hoerner 6 2 0 0 2 .333

Despite being shut down Saturday, the Cubs have scored at least five runs in six of their last eight games.

About Last Night

On Saturday night, relievers Daniel Ponce de Leon, Genesis Cabrera, Giovanny Gallegos and Reyes combined for five innings of scoreless, two-hit relief after starter Miles Mikolas left with forearm tightness.

Yadier Molina broke a 1-1 tie when led off the seventh inning with his seventh home run this season in 30 games. He went deep just four times in 42 games during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season.

Ponce de Leon retired five batters around a walk, Cabrera (1-1) struck out three of his four batters, Gallegos gave up a one-out single and a walk in the eighth and Alex Reyes finished for the save.

This game also looks like it will be a tight one. Considering the Cubs haven’t lost by more than a run since April 30, let’s take them on the run line, even at a high number.

The Pick: Cubs +1.5 (-177)

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