Kansas City Royals vs. Chicago Cubs 8/18/23 – Kansas City Royals and Chicago Cubs fans are filled with anticipation as the game at Wrigley Field draws nearer. Canadian MLB free picks are sought-after to predict who will emerge victorious on August 18th, 2023. Baseball enthusiasts around the globe anticipate witnessing this matchup due to two starting pitchers from both teams; Cole Ragans for Kansas City Royals and Jameson Taillon from Chicago Cubs, respectively.
Kansas City Royals vs. Chicago Cubs
Date & Time: Friday, August 18, 2023 at 2:20 PM ET
Location: Wrigley Field
TV: MLBN
Kansas City Royals vs. Chicago Cubs 8/18/23 Betting Odds
| Moneyline | Spread | Total | |
| Royals | +175 | +1.5 (-135) | 8.5 over (-109) |
| Cubs | -192 | -1.5 (+110) | 8.5 under (-109) |
Kansas City Royals Analysis
Kansas City Royals enter every game with determination, ready to meet the challenges that the Chicago Cubs present. However, when we examine their offensive statistics, we discover mixed performances. With a batting average of 0.244, they’ve shown moments of hitting prowess but struggled to connect consistently with the ball. Their slugging percentage of 0.395 indicates their ability to drive extra bases when making contact; 490 runs have crossed their plate this season, with their power hitters contributing 119 homers.
Cole Ragans will lead the Royals’ pitching staff this season and has proven his worth with an impressive win/loss record of 3-4 and numerous displays of brilliance on the mound. His 4.21 earned run average indicates his ability to keep opposing batters at bay, even if he doesn’t rank among the elite pitchers in his league. However, his 1.36 walks plus hits per inning pitched suggests that Ragans may find himself facing situations in which runners reach base safely and create tight spots for his defense to deal with. Ragans has pitched 47 innings over 21 games so far, allowing 42 hits, 24 runs, and 22 earned runs; his strikeout count of 51 stands as a testament to his ability to strike out batters while 22 walks show room for improvement in command.
Chicago Cubs Analysis
On the diamond, the Chicago Cubs are formidable opponents. Their batting average of 0.254 shows their consistent contact-making abilities; players often find themselves on base. Furthermore, their slugging percentage of 0.420 displays their talent for driving deep hits into extra bases, creating extra-base opportunities with every hit they make this season. Their offensive prowess can be seen through their 604 runs scored and 147 homers hit this season, with an on-base percentage of 0.332, showing they know how to extend at-bats while drawing walks as needed.
Jameson Taillon has been tasked with slowing the Royals’ bats with his 7-7 record on the mound. His 5.71 earned run average, although not among the elite in the league, is evidence of his ability to remain under control on the mound; his 1.39 whip suggests otherwise. Taillon has pitched in 21 games over his 104-innings career thus far and allowed 113 hits, 71 runs, and 66 earned runs while striking out 91 batters with 32 walks–an indicator of his control under pressure.
Kansas City Royals vs. Chicago Cubs Against the Spread
Kansas City Royals’ recent performance indicates their offensive prowess; however, their 1-5 record against SU in their six away matches indicates otherwise. By contrast, Chicago Cubs have seen five of their seven total go UNDER in consecutive matches, reflecting their balanced approach and consistency evident by their 13-7 SU record over 20 games.
Kansas City Royals vs. Chicago Cubs Free Pick
Considering the teams’ performances, betting odds, and recent trends, the predicted score for this matchup is likely to be close. Based on the odds and team analyses, here are the recommended picks for Kansas City Royals vs. Chicago Cubs matchup:
Moneyline: Cubs -192
The Cubs’ superior batting statistics and overall performance make them the favored team in this matchup.
Spread: Cubs -1.5 (+110)
With the Cubs’ potent offense and the Royals’ struggles on the road, the Cubs have a good chance of covering the spread.
Total: 8.5 over (-109)
Both teams’ recent trends suggest a propensity for higher-scoring games, and with the Cubs’ solid batting lineup, the total score is likely to exceed 8.5 runs.
Prediction: 5-6 Chicago Cubs win
As the Kansas City Royals and Chicago Cubs prepare to meet at Wrigley Field, fans are in store for an exhilarating battle of strengths and strategies with added excitement from Canadian sports betting enthusiasts. At the same time, the Royals hope to prove themselves worthy against an experienced Cubs offense and recent performance. Betting enthusiasts may find value in moneyline, spread, and total bets; all determined through analysis of team statistics, recent trends, odds comparison, etc. This matchup promises to keep fans in their seats until the final pitch.
