Tonight’s MLB Game: Twins vs. Cubs Prediction, Picks, and Odds
The Twins VS Cubs have both recently had outstanding offensive seasons.Our MLB betting choices explain why this starting pitching showdown is like throwing fuel on a fire.
Before Monday’s series opening at Wrigley Field, the Minnesota Twins and Chicago Cubs have been putting crooked numbers on the board in large quantities. With two of the teams’ struggling starts taking the field, I expect more of the same tonight.
Here are my top MLB predictions and picks for Monday’s interleague game between the Twins and Cubs.
Twins vs Cubs prediction
With 34 runs in their last five games, the Chicago Cubs have woken up at the plate. Meanwhile, starter Kyle Hendricks has given up 12 runs in his last three starts since the All-Star break. As a starter, Hendricks has a 7.61 ERA, but he lets opposing hitters set him up for a.372 wOBA.
The veteran righty’s skyrocketing numbers make sense when you consider that Hendricks has negative pitch values on his three most often offered pitches, according to FanGraphs. In comparison to previous year’s results, his hard-hit rate, barrel percentage, launch angle, and exit velocity have all increased.
Naturally, with a fourth-ranked.329 wOBA versus right-handed pitchers, the Minnesota Twins are also quite effective against them, as evidenced by their current four-game winning streak, which has seen them score 37 runs.
David Festa, the Minny starter, is likewise unreliable and inexperienced. In just 19 1/3 innings, he has given up 15 earned runs, despite his 3.87 xFIP being promising. This is just his fourth start in the major leagues. Nor are his 4.06 ERA and 1.37 WHIP with Triple-A St. Paul encouraging statistics.
We’re landing this lower total in part because Monday night’s wind is predicted to blow in at Wrigley Field. Still, neither starting pitcher has been particularly good, and both offenses are coming in strong.
Twins vs Cubs same-game parlay
Festa has struck out 19 batters in 14 1/3 innings during his last three outings, for a high-end 11.93 K/9 and 30.6 K%, despite the faults that have been mentioned. Additionally, his pitch values seem reasonable, and Festa is likely in for some good luck in the future.
Moving on, Michael Bucsh, a rookie from Chicago, had a great three-game series against the St. Louis Cardinals and has performed well this season against right-handed pitchers. Busch has a.350 wOBA and a.202 ISO against righties this season. He went 4-for-11 with two runs, two home runs, and four RBI against the Cards over the weekend.
Chicago Cubs vs. Minnesota Twins Forecast and Picks for August 5, 2024
The Minnesota Twins (61-48, 3rd AL Central) will visit Windy City and Wrigley Field on Monday to take on the Chicago Cubs (54-59, 5th NL Central) in the first game of a three-game interleague series. The Twins have won three straight as Minnesota defeated the Chicago White Sox 6-2 on Saturday. The Twins are currently 5 ½ games behind the Cleveland Guardians in the American League Central, and they will wrap up their three-game series with Chicago on Sunday.
Chicago’s three-game winning streak was ended on Saturday as they fell to the St. Louis Cardinals 5-4. The Cubs trail first-place Milwaukee by nine and a half games in the National League Central. In addition to position players Kyle Farmer, Alex Kirilloff, and Carlos Correa, Minnesota will be playing without six pitchers. Tomas Nido, the catcher, and eight pitchers will not be available for Chicago to use.
Minnesota is having success both on the mound and at the plate.
The Minnesota Twins rank ninth in runs scored (531) and batting average (.252), fifth in slugging percentage (.428), and seventh in on-base percentage (.325). With sixteen home runs, Ryan Jeffers leads Minnesota, and Carlos Santana and Byron Buxton are tied for second place with fourteen. With 51 RBI, Jeffers leads the team, followed by Santana (48). In 109 games, the Twins have hit 367 extra base hits, including 217 doubles, 17 triples, and 133 home homers.
Minnesota is ranked sixth in batting average allowed (.233), seventh in quality starts (46), nineteenth in ERA (4.13), and second in WHIP (1.17). With eleven victories, Bailey Ober leads Minnesota; Joe Ryan leads in strikeouts (145) and ERA (3.59) among starting pitchers. On Monday, David Festa will take the mound for Minnesota. The right-hander has a 6.98 ERA and 21 strikeouts in just two games this season.
