Chicago Cubs vs St. Louis Cardinals Prediction, Odds and Picks for Today, 05/30/26

Friday’s game between the Cubs and Cardinals got off to quite the start, as each team scored 3 runs in the opening inning. However, it was the Cardinals that outlasted the Cubs over the final 8 innings in a 6-5 win that included 20 combined hits and 4 home runs. 

The Cubs will look to even the series on Saturday when they send Ben Brown to the mound. Brown hasn’t been a starter all year, but he’s thrown at least 4 innings in each of his last 4 appearances, including 11 innings over his last 2 starts against the Pirates and Brewers. In those 4 appearances, he struck out 23 combined batters and surrendered just 4 earned runs across 19 total innings. Brown even held the hot-hitting Braves scoreless in 4 innings, striking out 7. 

St. Louis is projected to counter with Kyle Leahy, who had a rough outing last Saturday in Cincinnati. Leahy allowed 5 runs on 7 hits, 2 home runs and 2 walks, making it the 3rd time in his 10 starts that he has allowed at least 4 runs. Despite the poor showing, Leahy still has managed a 2.95 ERA in May thanks in part to just 2 earned runs allowed in 11.1 innings at home this month. 

I don’t see much of a starting pitching edge either way here, and the offenses both perform similarly against right-handed pitchers, so this game is a toss-up – and it’s priced as such. In fact, it might be a bit heavy in Chicago’s favor. Give me St. Louis at home on the plus-money price. 

Cubs vs Cardinals prediction: St. Louis Cardinals ML (+115) at the time of publishing. Playable to +105. 

Bet like a Caesar with this AMAZING new customer offer from Caesars Sportsbook, where you can receive DOUBLE YOUR WINNINGS on 10 straight wagers after making your first $1 bet! Become a Caesars member 👥 using the Caesars promo code PWCONTENT250BM, where you can bet on our Cubs vs Cardinals picks.