April 4, 2026, 1:08 a.m. ET<\/p>\n
The Chicago Cubs<\/a> (3-4) and the Cleveland Guardians<\/a> (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<\/a> for the best bets.<\/p>\n Season series: Guardians lead 1-0<\/p>\n 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 \u2014 his fifth of the season \u2014 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Watch MLB on Fubo!<\/a>Cubs at Guardians projected starters<\/p>\n LHP Shota Imanaga vs. RHP Slade Cecconi<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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<\/p>\n Provided by DraftKings Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub<\/a> for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:08 a.m. ET.<\/p>\n 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)<\/p>\n Slide into: BaseballHQ.com<\/a> for your fantasy baseball news. For decades, BHQ has been helping players just like you win! BHQ offers full-season subscriptions. Sign up today<\/a>!<\/p>\n Cubs at Guardians picks and predictionsPrediction<\/p>\n Guardians 4, Cubs 3<\/p>\n BET GUARDIANS (+119)<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, Imanaga comes with some regression concerns, and Chicago\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n PASS. I’d love to back the Guardians +1.5 but not at -149 odds.<\/p>\n BET OVER 8 (-108).<\/p>\n 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 \u2014 Cleveland at .203 and Chicago at .222 \u2014 setting up another low-scoring game.<\/p>\n For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com<\/a> and BetFTW<\/a>.<\/p>\n Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter\/X<\/a> and like us on Facebook<\/a>.<\/p>\n Gambling involves risk. Please only gamble with funds that you can comfortably afford to lose.\u202f While we do our utmost to offer good advice and information we cannot be held responsible for any loss that may be incurred as a result of gambling.\u202f We do our best to make sure all the information that we provide on this site is correct. However, from time to time mistakes will be made and we will not be held liable. Please check any stats or information if you are unsure how accurate they are. No guarantees are made with regards to results or financial gain. 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