Pinnacle -105 BET365 -110 SportsInteraction -109 BetOnline -104 Bookmaker -110

Posted at 3:00 PM EST. 

Chicago -105 over ST. LOUIS

8:15 PM EST. Most years, a post All-Star break series between the Cubs and Cardinals would have the NL Central hanging in the balance. Not so in 2021. Both clubs sit at 46-47 and both are 7½-games out of the NL Wild Card and nine games back of Central leading Milwaukee. The pesky Reds need to be leapfrogged there as well. In short, it's a long swim and the postseason isn't looking great for either.

Alec Mills (RHP - CHI) might not excite, but his excellent groundball rate (56.4%) and low strand percentage (68.2%) offer some stability. Mills has bounced back and forth from the minors over the years, but that the former 22nd round pick continues to get the call and can produce at this highest level is a big deal. He's no ace, but he is undervalued and under the radar.

The Cardinals will send Jake Woodford (RHP - STL) out to make his first start this season. You won't find Woodford anywhere near the top of the Red Birds’ prospect list, and he profiles as a bullpen arm, at best. St. Louis may have some curb appeal today after taking two of three from the Giants, who still hold the best record in baseball despite the losses. However, trusting Woodford to get the job done is a big ask. Dude has not impressed in his limited action in the majors this year, nor was he mowing them down at Triple-A Memphis. In 17 appearances, none as a starter, Woodford has walked 14 and struck out 21 in 25 innings. His WHIP is a troublesome 1.46 and we repeat, that’s as a reliever. Dude cannot throw strikes, nor does he want to because his swing & miss rate is so low (8%). With an xERA of 6.10, Woodford is only starting today because the Cardinals need bodies while awaiting the return of Carlos Martinez, Jack Flaherty and Miles Mikolas.

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