:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/71209003/1242236780.0.jpg "Cubs vs. Cardinals prediction: Picks, odds, live stream, TV channel, start time for Game 2 of Thursday's doubleheader")
The Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals square off in the second game of their doubleheader on Thursday with first pitch set for 7:45 p.m. ET. The game takes place at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, MO, and will only be available on local TV or through an MLB.tv subscription. Sean Newcomb (0-0, 11.57 ERA) will get the nod for the Cubs while Jose Quintana (3-5, 3.50 ERA) will step on the mound for the Cardinals.
St. Louis opened the series with a 6-0 victory over the Cubs on Tuesday before Wednesday's game was rained out. Home runs by Dylan Carlson and Paul Goldschmidt broke the game open in the fifth inning and Nolan Arenado provided an extra one for insurance in the bottom of the seventh. With the Brewers on a three-game losing streak, the Cards have pulled to within 1.5 games of the NL Central lead.
Chicago produced seven hits but no runs in Tuesday's setback, marking a third straight loss that has now put the team in last place in the NL Central. That marked the second straight shutout for the club as their bats have suddenly gone cold. After weeks of speculation, the team did not trade All-Star catcher Willson Contreras at the deadline and he will be in the lineup for tonight.
Cubs vs. Cardinals
Pitchers: Sean Newcomb vs. Jose Quintana
First pitch: 7:45 p.m. ET
Cubs local broadcast: Marquee Sports Network
Cardinals local broadcast: Bally Sports Midwest
Live stream: MLB.tv (subscription)
Odds, picks & predictions
Run Line: Cardinals -1.5 (+130), Cubs +1.5 (-150)
Run total: O 8.5 (-110), U 8.5 (-110)
Moneyline odds: Cardinals -170, Cubs +145
Moneyline pick: Cardinals -170
St. Louis batters should have no problem getting to Newcomb, who is stepping out of the bullpen to make his first start of the season. With this being the tail end of a doubleheader, the Cubs will probably let him go 4-5 innings just to give him some work and preserve some of their other arms. Hammer the Cardinals moneyline for this one.
Player prop pick: Coming soon.