In upcoming MLB action, the Chicago Cubs and the Seattle Mariners will face one another on Saturday, April 13th, 2024 (9:40 PM ET/6:40 PM PT). The Cubs are off to a 7-5 start this season while Seattle is just 5-8 through the opening couple of weeks. With those records considered, it is not surprising that the Mariners are underdogs in the game at +1.5 and odds of -150 (bet365). My Cubs vs Mariners prediction is that Chicago will win this game on the moneyline at -140 (bet365).
Chicago vs Seattle Prediction: Latest MLB Headlines
The two teams played on Friday night. At the time of writing, the Mariners were leading 4-0 in the seventh inning. If you are using the team's records, then they will need to be adjusted accordingly. Their game on Sunday will be the second game of a three-game set this weekend. In this preview, I'm taking a starting-pitching-centric approach.
Starting Pitching: Imanaga vs Hancock
The probable starters, as of late Friday, were Shota Imanaga for the Cubs and Emerson Hancock for the Mariners. The former is the arm that bettors who focus on starting pitching will want to be going with in this game.
Imanaga has had two starts so far this season and things have gone well for him. Through ten innings of work, he has not yet surrendered an earned run. He also has 12 strikeouts against just four hits. Furthermore, the pitcher has not yet issued a walk. He is a left-handed 30-year-old coming out of Japan. His trends are only short-term trends but he has looked very good so far with a 1-0 record.
In his last start, he threw only four innings. If bettors are wondering what happened there (ie. why was he pulled after just four innings if he was throwing a shutout?), he was pulled due to a rain delay as opposed to being tossed or sustaining an injury. There was a three-hour delay and Chicago's management decided not to use him after play resumed.
Emerson Hancock has been shelled so far this season. In 8.2 innings pitched across two starts, he has surrendered 11 earned runs on 15 hits. Home runs have been a problem as he has surrendered three so far this season. In his last outing, he lasted just 3.1 innings against Milwaukee on April 7th.
Cubs vs Mariners Prediction: Betting Tips
The Cubs at -140 (bet365) look like a good moneyline bet. Hancock has never looked like a convincing Major Leaguer. Seattle has not yet shown that they are a solid-hitting team so far this season. Going up against a pitcher that appears poised and in good form isn't what the Mariners need. I am expecting Chicago to win a low-scoring affair in this one. Bettors should be thinking Cubs 3, Mariners 1.
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