Drew Martin likes Chicago on Sunday night baseball, citing Shota Imanaga’s prior five-inning, one-hit domination of St. Louis and overall strong numbers. The Cubs also rate as MLB’s No. 1 lineup versus righties and hold a slight bullpen edge. Sonny Gray has a 4.20 ERA, has been tagged for 31 hits and six homers over his last four starts, and has lasted only 20 innings in that span. Martin therefore makes the Cubs his side in the finale.

B Wade backed Shota Imanaga to stay under 5.5 hits allowed at Busch Stadium. Imanaga has topped that mark only four times all season and just twice in nine road starts. In his lone 2025 meeting with St. Louis he surrendered a single hit over five innings, and since returning from a May injury he has been under this number in seven of eight outings. Wade added that the only recent over came in a fluky blow-up versus the White Sox, making him comfortable betting on Imanaga’s usual efficiency here.

B Wade backed Shota Imanaga to stay under 5.5 hits allowed at Busch Stadium. Imanaga has topped that mark only four times all season and just twice in nine road starts. In his lone 2025 meeting with St. Louis he surrendered a single hit over five innings, and since returning from a May injury he has been under this number in seven of eight outings. Wade added that the only recent over came in a fluky blow-up versus the White Sox, making him comfortable betting on Imanaga’s usual efficiency here.

Kenny G said he was "shocked" the Cubs opened only –125 and made Chicago his best bet. He expects Shota Imanaga to "be lights out" after tossing 6.1 IP/1 ER in Cincinnati and blanking the Cards for five frames earlier this season. Sonny Gray, meanwhile, has been up-and-down, allowing blow-ups versus Miami, San Diego, and Arizona in three of his last four. Chicago’s offense just scored nine runs and now ranks third in MLB in both runs and slugging; St. Louis has fallen to 14th and 21st in those categories. With comparable bullpens and a clear lineup edge, Kenny prefers the road favorite.

Kenny G loves Chicago at −150 in St. Louis. His confidence lies with ace left-hander Matthew Boyd, who owns an 11-4 record and sparkling 2.34 ERA and is coming off seven shutout innings in his last turn. Boyd blanked the Cards over five frames in an 11-0 rout earlier this year. Meanwhile Michael McGreevy carries a 5.08 ERA, gave up five earned to the Cubs in only 4.2 IP last time, and has struggled in four of his past five outings. Chicago is 30-26 away from Wrigley, “one of the best road teams in the majors,” and still ranks 2nd in runs and 3rd in slugging even after a mini slump. St. Louis’ offense and bullpen are trending the wrong way after deadline losses, so Kenny expects the Cubs to handle business.

Cash Out Sports Picks said the Cubs are the side because Matthew Boyd owns a 2.97 ERA in 11 road starts and an even better 2.34 mark over 22 overall. Chicago has hit .295 in seven meetings with St. Louis, while the Cardinals have fallen in seven of their last 11 and are batting just .224 against the Cubs’ staff. With Chicago holding the NL’s top Wild Card spot, the tout likes the North Siders to get it done on the money-line.