Chicago Cubs vs Cleveland Guardians Betting Picks

Cubs starter Shota Imanaga has proven reliable in his two-plus seasons in the majors with a lifetime record of 24-12, a 3.34 ERA, and 1.02 WHIP. The same cannot be said for Guardians starting pitcher Slade Cecconi. He is 9-16 during his three-plus seasons in the majors with a 5.21 ERA and 1.27 WHIP. Cecconi had a bad opening start against the Mariners six days ago, giving up six earned runs on six hits and three walks in 4.1 innings. The left-handed Imanaga should be helped pitching in Cleveland's Progressive Field, which has the lowest home-run factor for right-handed batters, according to Statcast. The Cubs have surrendered only two runs in four of their seven games. Cleveland was 28th in runs scored last season. Offense has been a weakness for the Guardians. Cleveland is averaging only 2.6 runs per game in its last five games. The Guardians rank 26th in runs and 27th in batting average. Take the Cubs.

The Cleveland Guardians are off to an interesting start. They have started the season at 4-3, but overall through seven games, they are -7 in run differential. That shows a little cause for concern and deserves a much closer look at the Chicago Cubs. The Cubs are 3-3 out of the gate, but oddly enough, they carry a +6 run differential into this contest. The numbers will get a lot of bets on Cleveland, but breaking down what we have seen so far in the early going, Cleveland has followed three consecutive interleague games with a 9-21 mark in their last 30 games, going back to the beginning of last season. I like the Chicago Cubs in this one.

Cleveland has been shut out three of its past five games as the Guardians continue to struggle offensively. They had a .206 batting average in June while scoring only 72 runs, the third-fewest they have scored in June in franchise history. Cleveland has gone UNDER eight straight road games and seven of its past 10 overall. The UNDER is 4-1 in Tanner Bibee's past five starts and the Guardians are 7-0 UNDER his past seven starts against NL Central opponents. Chicago is 7-0-1 UNDER its past eight Wednesday games and 7-0 UNDER against teams with losing records. Shota Imanaga has allowed only two runs his past three starts in 15 2/3 innings pitched. Take the UNDER.