Chicago Cubs vs St. Louis Cardinals Picks and Predictions September 26th 2025

Chicago Cubs vs St. Louis Cardinals September 26th 2025

The St. Louis Cardinals will take on the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. The Cardinals, managed by Oliver Marmol, have a record of 78-81 and are ranked 4th in the NL Central. They are coming off a loss and have gone 6-4 in their last 10 games.

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The Cubs, led by Craig Counsell, hold an 89-70 record and stand 2nd in the division. They also lost their last game and have a 4-6 record over the last 10 games. The game will take place on Friday, September 26, 2025, with mild weather and clear skies expected.

Cardinals vs Cubs Key Information

• Sport: Baseball
• Teams: St. Louis Cardinals vs. Chicago Cubs
• Venue: Wrigley Field in Chicago, IL
• Date: Friday, September 26, 2025
• Betting Odds: Cardinals Moneyline +148, Cubs Moneyline -173, Cardinals Runline +1.5 (-145), Cubs Runline -1.5 (+121), Total Over 9.0 (+100), Total Under 9.0 (-121)

The Cardinals Can Win If…

The St. Louis Cardinals recently had a close game against the San Francisco Giants, losing 4-3. Despite the loss, Sonny Gray pitched well with 7 strikeouts over 6 innings. Iván Herrera and Brendan Donovan were key contributors, each driving in a run.

The Cardinals have shown they can produce runs, especially with their top hitters. Alec Burleson leads the team with a .293 batting average and 18 home runs. Iván Herrera is also a threat, hitting .286 with 19 home runs and 66 RBIs this season.

The Cardinals’ pitching staff has been reliable in quality starts, ranking 12th with 55 on the season. Miles Mikolas will take the mound against the Cubs, looking to improve on his 8-10 record. With a solid mix of hitting and pitching, the Cardinals have the tools to secure a win.

The Cubs Can Win If…

The Chicago Cubs are set to play against the St. Louis Cardinals, and they have reasons to be optimistic. In their last game against the New York Mets, the Cubs scored 5 runs with 3 home runs. Seiya Suzuki was a standout, hitting 2 home runs and driving in 4 runs, showing his ability to change the game’s momentum.

One of the Cubs’ strengths is their power hitting. They rank 7th in home runs with 214 this season, which can be a game-changer. With players like Michael Busch and Pete Crow-Armstrong, who both have 29 or more home runs, the Cubs have the ability to put runs on the board quickly.

The Cubs’ starting pitcher, Colin Rea, has been solid with a 4.10 ERA and a 10-7 record. His consistency on the mound can keep the Cardinals’ hitters in check. With a strong lineup and a reliable pitcher, the Cubs have the tools to secure a win in this game.

The Lean

The Cubs are favored to win with a moneyline of -173. The Cardinals have a moneyline of +148. The Cubs have a better batting average and on-base percentage, which gives them an edge. My model projects the Cubs to win with a score of 5-4.

The total for the game is set at 9.0 runs. The Cubs have a strong slugging percentage, and the Cardinals’ pitching has a high ERA. My model projects a total score of 9 runs. I recommend taking the over at 9.0 (+100).

Cubs vs Cardinals MLB Betting Preview

The Chicago Cubs (89-70) begin their final series of the season against the St. Louis Cardinals (78-81) at Wrigley Field. Chicago leads the Padres by two games for home-field advantage in the NL wild-card round and expects to activate All-Star Kyle Tucker from the IL. For more team stats, visit the Chicago Cubs team page.

The Cardinals, already eliminated from contention, turn to veteran Miles Mikolas. With trade rumors swirling around stars like Nolan Arenado, the St. Louis Cardinals team page has the latest roster notes.

Line Movement and Odds

The Cubs opened around -145 behind Colin Rea. Totals are set at 8.5 runs, and the number has ticked slightly down with forecasts calling for wind blowing in at Wrigley. Bettors have leaned toward Chicago, though sharper action has taken St. Louis in spots. For complete updates, see the MLB odds page.

Matchup Breakdown

Cubs: Rea (10-7, 4.10 ERA) struck out 11 in his last outing, showing swing-and-miss stuff at the right time. He’s beaten the Cardinals twice this year, holding them to a single run in each start. Tucker’s return and Seiya Suzuki’s power surge give Chicago momentum heading into October.

Cardinals: Mikolas (8-10, 4.76 ERA) has steadied in September with a 3.00 ERA across four starts. But his struggles against Chicago earlier in the year linger, highlighted by six homers allowed in a July 4 blowout. Even so, Arenado and Goldschmidt remain threats in the middle of the order.

For additional matchup context, check the full MLB teams page.

Injuries and Conditions

• Cubs: Kyle Tucker (calf) expected to DH. Cade Horton cleared after MRI and could pitch in the postseason.
• Cardinals: Enter the series healthy, though clubhouse turnover looms.

Weather at Wrigley is projected cool with steady winds in, often a strong lean to unders.

Best Bets and Prediction

Chicago’s lineup boost with Tucker and Rea’s success against St. Louis tip the balance. Still, Mikolas has pitched better of late, which could keep this closer than July’s blowout.

Projected score: Cubs 5, Cardinals 3
Best Bet: Cubs moneyline -145
Lean: Under 8.5 runs with wind in play

For more edges, explore the MLB picks section and sharpen your betting strategy with the MLB expert betting guide.