MLB baseball action gets underway with the Chicago Cubs facing the St. Louis Cardinals in a showdown of division rivals.

The St. Louis Cardinals (47-41) visit the Chicago Cubs (52-35) Friday in the opener of a 3-game series. First pitch from Wrigley Field is set for 2:20 p.m. ET (Apple TV+). Let's analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's MLB odds around the Cardinals vs. Cubs odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.

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One of the most electric moments of the series turned sour quickly when Pete Crow-Armstrong hit an RBI triple Wednesday, only to overrun the base.

Matt Shaw hit a walk-off sac fly in the 10th inning to help the Cubs beat the Cleveland Guardians on July 3 to complete a 3-game sweep in Chicago.

Matt Shaw’s deep sacrifice fly to center scored Nico Hoerner from third in the 10th inning, giving the Chicago Cubs a 1-0 win over the Cleveland Guardians

The Cubs set a franchise record with eight home runs in an 11-3 rout of the Reds on Friday, including three from first baseman Michael Busch.

Michael Busch hit three home runs, Pete Crow-Armstrong connected twice and the Chicago Cubs went deep a franchise-record eight times in pounding the St. Louis Cardinals 11-3 for their fourth straight

The Chicago Cubs set a franchise record by bashing eight home runs in a single game on their way to an Independence Day annihilation of the visiting St. Louis Cardinals, winning 11-3 on Friday. Michael Busch enjoyed his first career three-homer game,