In a perfect world during the MLB regular season, a team would find their way to the top of the division early and continue to maintain that lead all the way to the finish. There are a couple of teams who look as though they are going to do that this season, but there are plenty more who have had to come from behind to take the top or who are still in the process of playing catch-up. For those teams, it can become habitual to start watching the scoreboard to see what your challengers are doing, which in turn can take focus away from the task at hand.
That is the scenario we are looking at in the NL Central at the moment, with no less than 3 teams all vying for the division title. There is the potential for a bit of a dog eat dog scenario right now, with the Cardinals and Brewers playing a 3-game series to start the week. That may just open the door for the Chicago Cubs, assuming they can take care of the San Francisco Giants at Wrigley Field. The Cubs are in as a 1 ½ run favorite on Tuesday night, with the run total set at 9 ½.
Giants vs Cubs MLB Spread, Game Info & Prediction
- When: Tuesday, August 20 at 8:05 PM EST
- Where: Wrigley Field, Chicago
- Starting Pitchers: Beede vs. Hamels
- TV: MLB Extra Innings
- Radio: SiriusXM
- Live Stream: MLB.tv
- MLB Spread: Chicago Cubs -1.5 (Total 10.5)
Weather Forecast
- Partly Cloudy: 24°C/76°F
- Humidity: 81%
- Precipitation: 6%
- Cloud Cover: 38%
- Wind: 7 mph W
- Stadium Type: Open
Indians vs Mets MLB Odds, Preview & Prediction
Why bet on the San Francisco Giants?
The San Francisco Giants have the misfortune of playing in the same division as the LA Dodgers, who just happen to be one of the teams running away with things at the moment. What that means is that the Giants are now going to need to go through the Wild Card if they are to take any part in the postseason. Despite being 7-3 in their last 10 games and sitting in 2nd behind the Dodgers in the West, the Giants have less than a 3% chance of making it into the postseason.The problem here is that they are still 3 ½ games out of the final Wild Card spot in the NL, with several teams sitting ahead of them. The Giants have been better on the road than at home this season, going 34-29, and they are also 2-1 up on the Cubs in the season series. They will have Tyler Beede (3-7, 5.77 ERA) starting this one.
Team Stats
Offense- Runs: 4.41
- Hits: 8.32
- Walks: 3.02
- Strike Outs: 8.62
Defense
- Runs: 4.79
- Hits: 8.73
- Walks: 3.11
- Strike Outs: 8.57
Why bet on the Chicago Cubs?
Despite currently sitting in second in the NL Central, a ½ game back of the St. Louis Cardinals, the Chicago Cubs are still viewed as the favorite to win the division and move on to the postseason. They can help their cause by taking advantage of a 6-game homestand, which starts on Tuesday night with this game versus the Giants.
You certainly need to like their chances of having a positive run over the next 6 days given that they have posted an impressive 41-19 record in their own ballpark this season. While the Cubs are just 4-6 in their last 10, they are coming off back to back wins, so perhaps a sign that they are ready to break out. It will be Cole Hamels (6-4, 3.69 ERA) on the mound for this one.
Team Stats
Offense- Runs: 4.90
- Hits: 8.46
- Walks: 3.60
- Strike Outs: 9.01
Defense
- Runs: 4.38
- Hits: 8.41
- Walks: 3.15
- Strike Outs: 8.66
Brewers vs Cardinals MLB Lines & Pick for Tuesday Night
Giants vs Cubs MLB Betting Trends
- Giants are 1-5 SU in their last 6 games when playing on the road against the Cubs
- The total has gone UNDER in 8 of San Francisco’s last 12 games against an opponent in the National League
- Cubs are 5-1 SU in their last 6 games at home
- The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Chi Cubs’ last 6 games
- Giants are 34-27 against the money line after a loss this season
- Cubs are 1856-1890 against the money line in all games since 1997
- Beede is 0-1 when starting against CHICAGO CUBS with an ERA of 6.35 and a WHIP of 1.940
- Hamels is 6-5 when starting against SAN FRANCISCO with an ERA of 4.33 and a WHIP of 1.259
Expert Pick & Final Score Prediction for Giants vs Cubs
The battle for the NL Central crown is going to be a fun one to watch over the final few weeks of the season. The Cubs may be behind now, but this run of home games could see them get their nose back in front.Score: San Francisco Giants 3 – Chicago Cubs 5
