Match Preview
The Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals continue their four-game National League Central series at Busch Stadium on Wednesday, July 29, 2026. First pitch is scheduled for 7:45 p.m. ET.
Chicago is expected to start left-hander Matthew Boyd, while St. Louis counters with right-hander Dustin May. The Cubs enter Wednesday with an opportunity to secure the series after winning each of the opening two games.
Chicago won Monday’s opener 7-3 behind 14 hits and excellent performances from Alex Bregman and Nico Hoerner. Both hitters recorded four hits and a home run, with Hoerner driving in four runs.
The Cubs were even more dominant Tuesday, scoring seven times over the opening two innings on their way to a 10-2 victory. Chicago attacked Michael McGreevy immediately and continued adding runs against the St. Louis bullpen.
The Cardinals have now lost eight of their first 11 games following the All-Star break and have struggled to match Chicago’s offensive production throughout this series.
With the hotter lineup, stronger recent form and more dependable overall roster, the Cubs are the preferred moneyline selection.
Chicago Cubs Analysis
Chicago’s offence enters Wednesday in excellent form.
The Cubs collected 14 hits Monday before scoring 10 runs Tuesday. Bregman and Hoerner controlled the opener, while Seiya Suzuki, Ian Happ and several surrounding hitters contributed to Tuesday’s early offensive explosion.
That depth makes Chicago difficult to contain. The Cardinals cannot simply pitch around one dangerous hitter because the Cubs can produce from multiple positions in the order.
Pete Crow-Armstrong gives Chicago a combination of speed, power and defensive value. Suzuki, Bregman, Hoerner, Happ and Michael Busch provide additional threats capable of extending innings and driving the ball for extra bases.
The Cubs should maintain the aggressive but disciplined approach that worked during the first two games. St. Louis has repeatedly fallen behind early, allowing Chicago to control the pace and force the Cardinals to use their bullpen sooner than planned.
Boyd does not need to produce a shutout. His responsibility is to limit walks, keep St. Louis from building a major inning and provide enough length to protect Chicago’s bullpen.
The left-hander must be careful with Masyn Winn, Jordan Walker and Alec Burleson. The Cardinals have enough individual offensive talent to punish mistakes, particularly when their strongest hitters bat with runners already aboard.
Five or six competitive innings from Boyd should place Chicago in a strong position, especially if the Cubs continue producing early offence.
St. Louis Cardinals Analysis
May must provide the Cardinals with a significantly stronger starting performance than they received Tuesday.
McGreevy allowed seven runs before completing the second inning, forcing St. Louis to rely heavily on its bullpen during a game that quickly became noncompetitive.
May has the experience and pitch quality to keep Chicago under control when his command is working. However, he cannot afford to fall behind the Cubs’ patient hitters or provide free baserunners ahead of the middle of the order.
Chicago has shown throughout the series that it will punish mistakes early. The Cardinals must avoid another opening in which the Cubs immediately build a multi-run advantage.
St. Louis’ offence also needs a stronger response. The Cardinals scored three runs Monday and only two Tuesday, leaving their pitching staff with very little margin for error.
Winn and Walker must create pressure near the top of the lineup, while Burleson and the middle of the order need to produce with runners in scoring position.
The Cardinals’ best path to victory involves May working six effective innings and keeping the score tied or within one run. If St. Louis is forced to chase Chicago again, the matchup should continue favouring the Cubs.
Why We Like This Pick
Chicago has controlled every major part of the series.
The Cubs have scored 17 runs on 28 hits across the opening two games. St. Louis has managed only five total runs and has repeatedly been forced to play from behind.
The Cardinals were already struggling before the series began. They entered Tuesday having gone 3-7 since the All-Star break and have continued moving in the wrong direction.
May gives St. Louis a chance to deliver a better pitching performance, and divisional matchups can change quickly. However, Chicago currently has the deeper lineup and much stronger offensive momentum.
The Cubs are also receiving production from several different hitters, reducing the likelihood that one quiet performance from a star will stop the entire offence.
Chicago’s moneyline is preferred over the run line because May is capable of keeping St. Louis competitive if his command is sharp.
Final Prediction
Expect the Cardinals to produce a better effort after Tuesday’s blowout, with May keeping Chicago relatively quiet during the opening innings.
The Cubs’ lineup should still create more consistent pressure as the game progresses. Boyd limits St. Louis enough for Chicago to take the lead before its bullpen closes out another divisional victory.
Final Score Prediction: Chicago Cubs 5, St. Louis Cardinals 3
Official FirePicksHQ Pick: Chicago Cubs Moneyline