Chicago Cubs vs Cleveland Guardians Picks and Predictions July 2nd 2025

Chicago Cubs vs Cleveland Guardians July 2nd 2025

The Cleveland Guardians will play against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on Wednesday, July 2, 2025. The game is set for 8:05 PM and will be shown on ESPN. Weather forecasts predict a very hot evening with broken clouds.

Cleveland, managed by Stephen Vogt, has a 40-43 record this season. They are 12 games behind in the AL Central. Chicago, led by Craig Counsell, holds a 50-35 record and a strong home record of 26-15. Tanner Bibee will start for Cleveland, while Shota Imanaga will pitch for Chicago.

Guardians vs Cubs Key Information

• Sport: Baseball
• Teams: Cleveland Guardians vs. Chicago Cubs
• Venue: Wrigley Field in Chicago, IL
• Date: Wednesday, July 2, 2025
• Betting Odds:
  • Consensus: Guardians +134, Cubs -158
  • Fanduel: Guardians +130, Cubs -154
  • Betmgm: Guardians +135, Cubs -160
  • Caesars: Guardians +135, Cubs -160

The Guardians Can Win If…

The Cleveland Guardians are coming off a 5-2 loss against the Chicago Cubs. Carlos Santana was a standout, going 2 for 4 with a run. Gavin Williams pitched 5 2/3 innings, allowing four earned runs, but showed potential with his 96 pitches.

Despite their recent struggles, the Guardians have some strengths. José Ramírez is a key player with a .305 batting average and 13 home runs. The team ranks 10th in stolen bases, showing they can be aggressive on the base paths.

Pitching could be a strong point for the Guardians with Tanner Bibee on the mound. He holds a 3.90 ERA and a WHIP of 1.18. With a solid performance from Bibee, the Guardians have a chance to secure a win.

The Cubs Can Win If…

The Chicago Cubs secured a 5-2 win against the Cleveland Guardians in their most recent game. Matthew Boyd pitched seven strong innings, allowing only two runs. Carson Kelly had a standout performance with two doubles and three RBIs, while Seiya Suzuki contributed with a home run.

The Cubs have a solid batting lineup, ranking 3rd in batting average and slugging percentage in the league. They have hit 125 home runs this season, also ranking 3rd. Michael Busch and Seiya Suzuki are key players, with Busch hitting .282 and Suzuki leading the team with 23 home runs.

Shota Imanaga will start for the Cubs, boasting an ERA of 2.54. His ability to keep hitters in check gives the Cubs an edge. With a WHIP of 1.03, Imanaga can limit base runners and control the game from the mound.

The Lean

The Cubs are favored with a moneyline of -158. The Guardians are at +134. The Cubs have a higher batting average and slugging percentage this season. My model projects the Cubs to win with a score of 5-3. Based on these factors, the pick is for the Cubs to win straight up.

The total for the game is set at 9.0. The Cubs’ strong hitting and the Guardians’ pitching rank suggest a higher-scoring game. My model projects a total score of 8. With this in mind, the recommendation is to take the under 9.0.

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Shota Imanaga Seeks Redemption as Cubs Host Slumping Guardians

After a brilliant return from the injured list last week, Chicago Cubs ace Shota Imanaga has a chance for some personal redemption on Wednesday night. He’ll take the mound against the only team that has ever hit him hard as the Chicago Cubs host the slumping Cleveland Guardians.

Imanaga’s Revenge Game

Imanaga (4-2, 2.54 ERA) was masterful in his return from a seven-week hamstring injury, tossing five scoreless innings against the Cardinals. “We need that guy. He’s special for us,” said Cubs reliever Daniel Palencia.

Now, he faces the Guardians, the team that tagged him for seven runs in his lone career start against them last season. It’s a chance for the star left-hander to prove that outing was a fluke.

A Crisis in Cleveland

The Guardians arrive at Wrigley Field in the midst of a complete free-fall. They have lost five straight games and are struggling in every facet of the game. Their offense has gone cold, with stars Steven Kwan and Jose Ramirez in deep slumps, and their defense has committed an error in 11 consecutive contests.

“We’re all trying to be perfect right now,” manager Stephen Vogt said of his team’s struggles. “We need to just take a deep breath, take a step back and go play baseball.”

A Duel of Hard-Luck vs. Hot Bats

While Imanaga seeks redemption, the Guardians will send out their own hard-luck pitcher in right-hander Tanner Bibee (4-8, 3.90 ERA). Bibee has been excellent recently, allowing two earned runs or fewer in three of his last four starts, but the team has lost each of his last three outings due to a lack of run support. This issue is a key topic in our expert betting guide.

He’ll have to face a hot Cubs lineup that includes Seiya Suzuki, who has three homers in his last two games at home, and Michael Busch, who is hitting .386 in his last 13 games. This pitching matchup will be a key focus on the scores and odds board.

For two MLB teams looking to build momentum, this game is a crucial test. To see if our experts think Imanaga can get his revenge, check out our daily MLB picks.