On a day marked with scattered clouds, the Chicago Cubs are set to clash with the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium on July 13th, 2024, with the first pitch at 2:15 PM. Hayden Wesneski, holding an impressive ERA of 3.675, will take the mound for the Cubs. The Cardinals will counter with Lance Lynn, whose ERA stands at 4.483.

In terms of their standing in the 2024 NL Central Division, the Cubs find themselves in 12th place with a record of 46-49, a 0.48 winning percentage, and rank 5th in their division, after achieving a record of 11-19 against division opponents. They have shown a bit of resurgence recently with a streak of 5 consecutive wins and a 7-3 record over their last 10 games. On the road, their current standing is 21 wins to 28 losses.

Conversely, the Cardinals are placed 5th in the same division with a 48-45 record, which is a 0.52 winning percentage. They stand neutral in the division with a 13-13 record. Despite a trio of consecutive losses, their home game performance appears balanced with a 24-21 record. They’ve also scored 379 runs while allowing 421 runs this season.

Considering the gambling aspects, the Cubs are positioned slightly less favorably with a 24-21 home record versus the Cardinals, and the betting lines reflect this. The point spread stands at -1.5 favoring the Cardinals. The expected total runs (over/under) for the encounter is set at 8.5, pointing possibly towards a tight, low-scoring match. Bettors looking at the money line odds will find the Cubs at +109, suggesting a moderate risk, while the Cardinals are considered more likely winners at -128. Each team’s recent form and historical results could be crucial for those placing bets on this tight matchup.