The Chicago Cubs are set to battle the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium on July 13, 2024, with first pitch scheduled for 8:15 PM under expected overcast conditions. Javier Assad, with a respectable 3.036 ERA, will take the mound for the Cubs, while the Cardinals will counter with Kyle Gibson, who has an ERA of 3.962.

In the race for the 2024 NL Central Division lead, the Cubs currently sit in 12th place with a mild 46-49 record, a .480 winning percentage, and struggling with a 11-19 mark within the division. Despite these challenges, they have shown a recent surge, winning seven of their last ten games and are on a five-game winning streak. Comparatively, the Cardinals rank 5th in the division with a slightly better 48-45 record and a .520 winning percentage, though they’re currently trying to snap a three-game losing streak.

Betting Odds Analysis: In today’s matchup, the betting lines have set quite an intriguing stage. The Cardinals are favored with a point spread of -1.5. Meanwhile, the over/under for the game is pegged at 8.5, indicating expectations of moderate scoring between the two teams. For those betting on the outcome, the home team Cardinals hold a MoneyLine of -131, suggesting they are the expected favorites. On the other side, the Cubs have an AwayTeamMoneyLine of 112, presenting them as underdogs in this contest. These odds reflect the current standings and recent form of both teams, turning this divisional rivalry into a potentially profitable endeavor for keen bettors.