April 4, 2026, 1:08 a.m. ET
The Chicago Cubs (3-4) and the Cleveland Guardians (5-3) play the second game of their 3-game series Saturday at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio. First pitch is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. ET (FOX). Let’s analyze MLB odds around the Cubs vs. Guardians odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Guardians lead 1-0
Cleveland took Friday’s opener 4-1 as -102 home favorites, with the Under (7.5) cashing. Rookie DH Chase DeLauter went 3 for 4 with a homer — his fifth of the season — and 3 RBIs. SS Gabriel Arias added a solo shot, while RP Cade Smith struck out the side in the ninth for his second save.
The Cubs managed just 5 hits and were 1 for 6 with runners in scoring position. DH Miguel Amaya drove in their only run with a double in the third. RP Hunter Harvey took the loss after allowing seventh-innings homers to Arias and DeLauter.
Watch MLB on Fubo!Cubs at Guardians projected starters
LHP Shota Imanaga vs. RHP Slade Cecconi
Imanaga (0-1, 7.20 ERA) will make his second start of 2026. He was 9-8 last season with 3.73 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, 1.6 BB/9, and 7.3 K/9 in 144 2/3 innings across 25 starts.
Last start: Loss, 5 IP, 4 ER, 6 H, 2 BB, 7 K (82 pitches) in 6-3 home loss vs. Washington Nationals SundayCareer vs. Guardians: 1-0, 5.23 ERA (10 1/3 IP, 6 ER), 1.16 WHIP, 6.1 K/9 in 2 starts2025 on road: 5-5, 3.44 ERA (73 1/3 IP, 28 ER), 0.98 WHIP, 7.4 K/9 in 13 startsLast start vs. Guardians: Win, 5 1/3 IP, 3 ER, 4 H, 0 BB, 4 K in 5-4 home victory July 2, 2025
Cecconi (0-1, 12.46 ERA) is also making his second start of the season. He was 7-7 with a 4.30 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 2.2 BB/9 and 7.4 K/9 in 132 innings across 23 starts.
Last start: Loss, 4 1/3 IP, 6 ER, 6 H, 3 BB, 5 K (93 pitches) in 8-0 loss at Seattle Mariners SundayHas never pitched against the Cubs2025 at home: 2-4, 4.78 ERA (69 2/3 IP, 37 ER), 1.22 WHIP, 5.8 K/9 in 12 startsCubs at Guardians odds
Provided by DraftKings Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:08 a.m. ET.
Moneyline (ML): Cubs -143 (bet $143 to win $100) | Guardians +119 (bet $100 to win $119)Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Cubs -1.5 (+123) | Guardians +1.5 (-149)Over/Under (O/U): 8 (O: -108 | U: -112)
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Cubs at Guardians picks and predictionsPrediction
Guardians 4, Cubs 3
BET GUARDIANS (+119)
The Guardians carry momentum into this matchup after holding the Cubs to just 1 run in the opener, and DeLauter (.346) continues to swing a hot bat early in the season.
Meanwhile, Imanaga comes with some regression concerns, and Chicago’s rebuilt bullpen is still adjusting. With the stronger pitching depth and current form, there’s decent value in backing Cleveland to come away with another win.
PASS. I’d love to back the Guardians +1.5 but not at -149 odds.
BET OVER 8 (-108).
The Under has hit in 5 of the last 6 meetings between Cleveland and Chicago, with both teams trending that way recently. Cleveland has gone Under in 4 straight, while Chicago has done so in 4 of its last 5. Neither lineup is hitting well early — Cleveland at .203 and Chicago at .222 — setting up another low-scoring game.
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