The Chicago Cubs (59-61) and Cleveland Guardians (70-49) meet in the middle of a three-game interleague series on Tuesday. First pitch at Progressive Field is scheduled for 6:40 pm ET. Break down FanDuel Sportsbook's Cubs vs. Guardians odds and make your best betting predictions and forecasts with MLB experts.
Season series: Guardians lead 1-0
The Guardians held the Cubs 9-8 in the series opener on Monday. Cleveland led 8-3 after six innings, but the Cubs scored four runs in the top of the seventh to make the final innings tough for the Guardians. Rookie outfielder Jonkensy Noel hit two home runs, including a game-winning three-run homer in the bottom of the fourth. Noel, nicknamed “Big Christmas,” has hit eight home runs in 21 career games since his MLB debut on June 26.
The Guardians have won three straight after losing seven in a row, Cleveland also ended a five-game losing streak at home and the over is 7-1 in their last eight games at Progressive Field.
Despite Monday's loss, the Cubs are 8-3 in their last 11 games and have won by the over in eight of their last 11 games.
Cubs vs Guardians predicted starters
RHP Javier Assad vs. LHP
Assad (5-3, 3.24 ERA) is making his 22nd start and has a 1.36 WHIP, 4.1 BB/9 and 7.9 K/9 in 102 2/3 innings.
Last start: Wednesday against the Minnesota Twins, 8-2 home win, no decision, 4 innings, 2 runs allowed, 3 hits, 2 walks, 1 strikeout. 2024 road record: 3-2, 4.17 ERA (49 2/3 innings, 23 runs allowed), 1.33 WHIP, .257 Opponents Batting Average (OBA), 8.9 strikeouts in 10 starts. History against the Guardians: July 1, 2023, 1 relief appearance, no decision, 3 innings, 0 runs allowed, 1 hit, 1 walk, 5 strikeouts in a 6-0 home loss.
Boyd, who signed a free agent contract on June 29, will make his debut with Cleveland this season. He last appeared in an MLB game on June 26, 2023, as a member of the Detroit Tigers. The 33-year-old left-hander is recovering from Tommy John surgery. He started 15 games for Detroit last season, going 5-5 with a 5.45 ERA and a 1.32 WHIP.
2023 home record (vs. Tigers): 1-5, 7.49 ERA (33 2/3 innings, 28 earned runs), .294 on-base percentage, 1.69 WHIP, 7.2 strikeouts with 9 in 7 starts Career record vs. Cubs: 0-1, 6.75 ERA (6 2/3 innings, 5 earned runs), 7 hits, 1 walk, 8 strikeouts in 1 start and 1 relief appearance, last played in 2021
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Cubs vs Guardians odds
Courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook. For the complete list, visit USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds Hub. Lines last updated at 4:02 a.m. ET.
Money Line (ML): Cubs +104 (bet $100 to win $104) | Guardians -122 (bet $122 to win $100) Run Line (RL)/Against the Spread (ATS): Cubs -1.5 (+164) | Guardians +1.5 (-200) Over/Under (O/U): 8.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)
The Guardian's Cubs predictions and forecasts
prediction
Cubs 6, Guardians 4
Money Line
The Cubs (+104) are a solid plus-money play as short dogs on the road in Game 2 of this series.
The reason to favor the visiting team is the pitching staff, with Assad being solid but unspectacular, putting up a pretty consistent performance while working up innings for the Cubs.
Boyd, on the other hand, is a wild card. He's coming off a major injury and making his season debut with the team, so going against the Guardians (-122) is a risky play.
Against run line/spread
If you want to be a bit more adventurous, forget the moneyline and bet on CUBS -1.5 (+164) for a better payday.
The Cubs offense is on a roll, scoring 33 points and 6.6 points per game (RPG) over their last five games. Chicago should have a great chance against the left-hander Boyd, but he may be a bit off and won't last long in games.
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Over/Under
OVER 8.5 (-105) is noteworthy.
Again, the Cubs are averaging 6.6 rebounds per game over their last five games while their pitchers are allowing 5.7 rebounds over their last three games. The over is 4-1 in the Cubs' last five games and 8-3 in their last 11 games.
The Guardians are 2-1-1 in the Over’s last four games and 8-2-2 in their last 12 games overall.
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