Chicago Cubs at Cleveland Guardians odds, picks and predictions

The Chicago Cubs (59-61) and Cleveland Guardians (70-49) play the middle contest of a 3-game interleague series Tuesday. First pitch from Progressive Field is set for 6:40 p.m. ET. Let's analyze FanDuel Sportsbook's lines around the Cubs vs. Guardiansodds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.

Season series: Guardians lead 1-0

The Guardians held off the Cubs 9-8 in Monday's series opener. Cleveland opened an 8-3 lead after 6 innings, but a Cubs' 4-run top of the 7th made for a harrowing final few innings for the Guardians. Rookie OF Jhonkensy Noel swatted a pair of homers, including a go-ahead 3-run HR in the bottom of the 4th. Nicknamed "Big Christmas," he has 8 homers in 21 career games since his MLB debut June 26.

After a 7-game losing streak, the Guardians have picked up 3 consecutive wins. Cleveland also snapped a 5-game losing skid at home, and the Over is now 7-1 in the previous 8 outings at Progressive Field.

Despite the loss Monday, the Cubs are 8-3 in the past 11 games, while cashing the Over in 8 of the past 11 outings, too.

Cubs at Guardians projected starters

RHP Javier Assad vs. LHP Matthew Boyd

Assad (5-3, 3.24 ERA) makes his 22nd start. He has a 1.36 WHIP, 4.1 BB/9 and 7.9 K/9 in 102 2/3 innings.

• Last start: No-decision, 4 IP, 2 ER, 3 H, 2 BB, 1 K in 8-2 home victory vs. Minnesota Twins Wednesday
• 2024 road splits: 3-2, 4.17 ERA (49 2/3 IP, 23 ER), 1.33 WHIP, .257 opponents' batting average (OBA), 8.9 K/9 in 10 starts
• Career vs. Guardians: 1 relief appearance July 1, 2023, no-decision, 3 IP, 0 ER, 1 H, 1 BB, 5 K in 6-0 home loss

Boyd, who signed a free-agent deal June 29, makes his season and Cleveland debut. He last appearance in an MLB game was June 26, 2023, as a member of the Detroit Tigers. The 33-year-old southpaw has been recovering from Tommy John surgery. He went 5-5 with a 5.45 ERA and 1.32 WHIP in 15 starts last season for Detroit.

• 2023 home splits (w/Tigers): 1-5, 7.49 ERA (33 2/3 IP, 28 ER), .294 OBA, 1.69 WHIP, 7.2 K/9 in 7 starts
• Career vs. Cubs: 0-1, 6.75 ERA (6 2/3 IP, 5 ER), 7 H, 1 BB, 8 K in 1 start and 1 relief appearance, last facing them in 2021

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Cubs at Guardians odds

Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 4:02 a.m. ET.

• Moneyline (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)

Cubs at Guardians picks and predictions

Prediction

Cubs 6, Guardians 4

Moneyline

The CUBS (+104) are a solid play at plus-money as the short 'dogs on the road in Game 2 of this series.

The reasoning for backing the road team is pitching. Assad has been solid, yet unspectacular, eating up innings for the Cubs, while posting rather consistent numbers.

Boyd, on the other hand, is a wild card. He is coming back from a major injury, and making his team and season debut. As a result, playing the Guardians (-122) is a risky play.

Run line/Against the spread

If you're a little more on the adventurous side, forget about the moneyline, and play CUBS -1.5 (+164) for a much better payday.

The Cubs offense has been producing, going for 33 runs in the past 5 games, or 6.6 runs per game (RPG). Chicago should have a field day against the southpaw Boyd, who could be a little rusty, and won't go terribly deep into the game, either.

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Over/Under

OVER 8.5 (-105) is worth a look.

Again, the Cubs have averaged 6.6 RPG in the past 5 outings, while the pitching staff has allowed 5.7 RPG in the past 3 outings. The Over is on a 4-1 run in the past 5 games for the Cubs, while going 8-3 across the previous 11 contests.

For the Guardians, the Over is on a 2-1-1 run in the past 4 outings, while going 8-2-2 across the past 12 contests.

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