Cubs vs. Cardinals Prediction, Betting Pick, Latest MLB Odds for Sunday, May 31st
The Cardinals are in a great spot tonight, and this feels like one of those games where the matchup edges start piling up quickly once you dig underneath the surface numbers. Can The Cardinals bounce back against the Cubs in this rivalry match? McBets is backing Cardinals on May 31st.
McBets - May 31, 2026, 3:30 PM EDT
4 Minute ReadCubs vs. Cardinals Prediction: Can Matthew Liberatore, Cardinals Bounce Back Against Cubs?
The Cubs and Cardinals meet tonight in a rubber match on Sunday Night Baseball, and I think there’s value backing St. Louis on the run line at a big plus-money price.
I’m rolling with the Cardinals -1.5.
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Cubs vs. Cardinals Odds
Cubs vs. Cardinals Date, Time, and Where to Watch
- Date: Sunday, May 31st, 2026
- Time: 7:20 PM ET
- Where to Watch: NBC, Peacock
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Cubs vs. Cardinals Prediction
At first glance, this looks like a game where most bettors will gravitate toward Chicago. The Cubs responded with a convincing 6-1 win on Saturday, their offense has started to wake up, and they remain one of the more talented lineups in the division. But I think the pitching matchup is much closer than the market suggests, and St. Louis is in a great bounce-back spot.
Jordan Wicks gets the ball for Chicago, and consistency has been a major issue throughout his career. Across nearly 100 major league innings, he owns a 5.71 ERA, and his underlying metrics don’t paint a much prettier picture. His fastball velocity was also down in his season debut, which is never something you want to see from a pitcher already struggling to miss bats consistently. When Wicks falls behind in counts, he tends to become extremely hittable, and that’s dangerous against a Cardinals lineup that has more talent than its recent numbers suggest.
Jordan Walker continues to emerge as one of the young stars in the National League, while JJ Wetherholt has given this offense another dynamic presence near the top of the order. Ivan Herrera and Alec Burleson have also provided quality production throughout the season. The Cardinals may have slumped offensively over the past week, but this feels like an ideal matchup to get right.
On the other side, Matthew Liberatore certainly isn’t perfect. His 4.76 ERA comes with some concerning underlying metrics, including a hard-hit rate near 44% and an expected ERA north of five. However, Liberatore has at least shown flashes against this Cubs lineup throughout his career, posting a respectable 3.70 ERA against Chicago. The bigger factor for me is situational. The Cubs have been inconsistent for weeks now and have struggled to string together quality performances.
Despite Saturday’s win, they’ve still lost seven of their last eight games as favorites after playing the previous day. Meanwhile, St. Louis has consistently responded well after losses at home and has covered the run line in eight of its last nine games against division opponents following a home defeat. I also think the Cardinals have the offensive upside to create separation if Wicks struggles early. Chicago’s offense is improving, but the Cardinals are catching a vulnerable starter, playing at home, and getting plus-money on the run line in what is essentially a coin-flip game.
Cubs vs. Cardinals Best Bet
- 1 Unit Pick: St. Louis Cardinals RL -1.5 (+180) Check out the best odds at DraftKings Sportsbook
If St. Louis gets into the Cubs’ bullpen early, this game has the potential to get away from Chicago quickly.
Give me the Cardinals to bounce back, win the series, and cash the run line at a strong number.
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