Few teams in baseball have been better than the Cubs (74-55). Chicago owns the fifth-best record in baseball, looking like a dark horse contender in the National League. It’s a different story for the Mariners (61-68), easily the AL’s most disappointing squad. Still, Seattle remains in the hunt for a division title and wild card spot. Which side has the advantage during Saturday’s matchup?
The Mariners are favorites (-112) over the Cubs; the over/under is set at 7.5 runs. Below, I’ve laid out my preview, prediction, and best bet for Saturday’s interleague showdown between Chicago and Seattle on DraftKings Sportsbook.
Cubs vs. Mariners pick, best bet today
- Cubs ML (+104): Seattle can’t hit lefties, and Peterson has been solid since joining the Cubs. It’s a different story for Chicago, a squad that crushes southpaws. The visitors make plenty of sense as underdogs this evening.
Cubs vs. Mariners prediction, preview
Edward Cabrera (blister) made his return from the injured list last week, only to suffer another setback. As a result, David Peterson will make his ninth start for the Cubs tonight. Since coming over from the Mets, the southpaw has done his job. Over 44.1 innings in Chicago, he’s recorded a 4.06 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 32 strikeouts (6.5 K/9). At his best, the 30-year-old features a wipeout sinker that can befuddle opposing batters. Unsurprisingly, that pitch has led to an 88th percentile ground ball rate (50.3%).
Peterson, when his sinker is on point, does a great job at limiting the long ball (1.0 HR/9). That’s not ideal for his opponents tonight. The Mariners, baseball’s lowest-scoring squad, struggle to do almost anything right on offense. However, they have clubbed the 16th-most homers (146) in the majors. Outside of that, the M’s are 28th in batting average (.229) and 25th in on-base percentage (.309). Seattle also owns the second-worst OPS against left-handed pitching (.640). To make matters worse on this lineup, tonight’s game takes place at pitcher’s paradise T-Mobile Park.
As for the home team, Kade Anderson will be making his highly anticipated major league debut. The 22-year-old is MLB.com’s highest ranked pitching prospect. In other words, expectations are through the roof. Joining a Mariners organization that seems to produce quality arms every season only boosts the youngster’s long term outlook. Anderson, a left-hander, has been absolutely unhittable at Double-A Arkansas. The LSU alum has recorded a 1.06 ERA and minuscule 0.65 WHIP over 18 starts.
Anderson’s 1.3 BB/9 ratio should serve him well during Saturday’s game. The Cubs are one of baseball’s best lineups, and their secret weapon is plate discipline. They’re averaging an MLB-best 4.23 walks per game, so control is imperative for opposing pitchers. Still, Seattle’s newest hurler is a rookie; this isn’t the easiest spot to make his debut. It’s also worth noting that Chicago owns the sport’s best OPS against left-handed pitching (.804).
Best Bet: Cubs ML (+104)
Anderson holds plenty of promise, but it’s difficult to side with a rookie southpaw against this Chicago offense. Seattle is the exact opposite, looking lost against most left-handers. That bodes well for Peterson’s chances during Saturday’s contest. At plus money, back a superior Cubs roster this evening.
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