San Francisco Giants vs Chicago Cubs Prediction and Betting Odds July 28
San Francisco Giants vs Chicago Cubs Betting Preview
WagerTalk MLB analyst Brian Ochsner offers his analysis of Thursday night’s San Francisco Giants vs Chicago Cubs Prediction and Betting Odds July 28 clash at Oracle Park. Despite losing seven straight games, the Giants are -140 favorites heading into their game with the Cubs who have won six straight.
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| Thursday, July 28 | MLB Betting Notes, Courtesy of Caesars |
|---|---|
| Moneyline: | San Francisco Giants -140 vs Chicago Cubs +118 |
| Runline: | Giants -1.5 (+155) / Cubs +1.5 (-175) |
| Total: | 8 Runs (Over -110 / Under -110) |
| Game Time: | 9:45pm ET / 6:45pm PT |
| Where: | Oracle Park in San Francisco, CA |
| Weather: | 55 Degrees / Clear |
San Francisco Giants vs Chicago Cubs Analysis
The Chicago Cubs travel west to Oracle Park to take on the San Francisco Giants in the first of a four game series. The Cubs have won five in a row from the Phillies and Pirates, while the Giants are reeling, having lost seven in a row on the road in Los Angeles and Arizona after the All-Star break.
It’s a battle of southpaws with Justin Steele taking the bump for Chicago and Alex Wood getting the start for San Fran. First pitch is scheduled for 9:45 PM EDT / 6:45 PDT.
Cubs Are Cruising
The Cubs have been a surprise to start the second half of the season, winning five games in a row. Good pitching has been the main reason as Chicago has only allowed three runs or less in this five-game stretch. The hitting has started to heat up as they’re in 18th in team OPS and 13th in team batting average.
Left-hander Justin Steele has pitched well in his last few starts, giving up three earned runs or less in his last four outings. In 18 starts and 87.1 innings, he’s put up a 4-6 record, a 4.02 ERA with a 1.42 WHIP and 81 strikeouts.
He’s avoided the long ball, allowing just six bombs on the season, but he’s had a problem with walks – allowing 41 free passes, which is the main reason for his higher-than-average WHIP.
Giant Letdown
San Francisco was expected to contend for a playoff spot back in April, but the way they’re playing right now, I don’t like their chances to play in the postseason. Key injuries have come up again to Evan Longoria, Brandon Crawford and Curt Casali, and the bullpen has gone downhill with the 5th highest ERA in MLB.
Southpaw Alex Wood has been a bright spot for the team, and pitched well for the Giants over the past month. In his last five starts he’s given up three earned runs or less, and in four of those five starts allowed four hits or less.
In 19 starts and 94.0 innings he’s put up a 4.21 ERA with a 1.26 WHIP and 96 strikeouts – just over one per inning. Control has been excellent as he’s only given up 10 home runs and 23 walks. He usually doesn’t go deep into games, as he’s only pitched 6.0 innings or more in three outings this season.
San Fran’s offense hasn’t been great this past week, as they’ve scored four runs or more in just two of seven games. For the season their offense has been about average, with a 14th best OPS but a 25th best team average of .234.
San Francisco Giants vs Chicago Cubs Prediction
The Giants have a better record than the Cubs this season, but Chicago has played much better baseball over the past week. The north-siders also have the better starting pitcher, have hit left-handed pitching better the last 30 days, and the Giants bullpen was a train wreck in their series in Arizona.
The home team is playing their first game after an extended seven game road trip, which is usually a fade spot. There aren’t many times where I’ll take the Cubs this season, but this will be one of them. I’ll lean to Chicago on the moneyline.
Prediction: Chicago Cubs Moneyline
First Pitch | MLB Predictions for Thursday, July 28
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Meet the Author
Brian Ochsner graduated from Kansas State University with degrees in Accounting and Agribusiness. He’s a life-long baseball fan and “numbers guy” who tolerates the Colorado Rockies (bad ownership), and is a Denver Broncos and Kansas State Wildcats fan. Along with his interest in the sports wagering industry, he enjoys eating good BBQ, reading books on marketing, finance and economics, and playing Texas Hold ‘Em poker.
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