MLB picks and expert predictions: Chicago Cubs to make light work of gentle Giants at Wrigley on Sunday

Our expert MLB handicapper John Lepore looks ahead to Sunday night's clash between the San Francisco Giants and Chicago Cubs in Sunday's live game and believes the home side have more to offer than the visitors...

 Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Wade Miley

© Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

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John Lepore

MLB Betting Expert

John is a respected MLB analyst, author and handicapper who has over 10 years' experience of betting big on baseball.

MLB expert picks: San Francisco Giants @ Chicago Cubs (Sunday, September 11: 7.00 EDT)

FixtureSan Francisco Giants @ Chicago Cubs
WhenSunday, September 11, 7:00 EDT
Likely StartersJohn Brebbia vs Wade Miley
Where to watchESPN

The San Francisco Giants are hanging on for dear life in the hopes of a Wild Card spot. They are 7.5 games out of the playoffs heading into Tuesday night and the outlook seems grim. They get the Chicago Cubs who have been better since the All-Star break, going 21-21. As with many teams out of the race, the Cubs have a few players looking to make an impression and take advantage of their opportunities.

It looks like the Giants may go with John Brebbia. Alex Wood has gone on the IL and Brebbia has pitched well out of the bullpen while making three starts also. His starts were as an opener, and he isn’t expected to last long. San Francisco will rely on their bullpen. That doesn’t bode well for the Giants as their relievers have a 4.22 ERA and a 1.392 WHIP.

Wade Miley should be taking the hill for the Cubbies. The veteran has been pretty good since joining Chicago albeit in five starts. He was just reinstated from the IL and threw four innings on Tuesday striking out six. He is out there the rest of the season to prove he is healthy and can still compete at a major league level. Turning 36 in November, Miley will be looking to get another contract before calling it quits.

Giants player to watch: Evan Longoria

We are watching a player wind down to the end of his career. He was the face of the Tampa Bay Rays for a long time and is working on his fifth, and likely final year as a Giant. Longoria will be 37 next month and will be trying to finish out the season with a bang. The veteran third baseman has 25 home runs and 76 RBIs in his last 152 games with San Francisco while playing a solid defensively at the hot corner. We could very well be watching a future Hall of Famer.

Cubs player to watch: Ian Happ

Despite having the same amount of Plate Appearances as last season (535), Happ has hit 10 fewer home runs. That hasn’t taken away from his overall numbers though. He is slashing .277/.350/.455 this year as opposed to .226/.323/.434 in 2021. He is also settling in more as a left fielder and has improved defensively. Happ will be a free agent after next season and is having his best season. Watch out for an end-of-the-season run.

San Francisco Giants @ Chicago Cubs conclusion and prediction

The Giants are still fighting against the current for a playoff spot, but the Cubs have a few players who are looking to make an impact and have a leg up for a 2023 roster spot. The energy has brought Chicago better results recently. With the question marks surrounding San Francisco’s rotation and the fact this will be a bullpen game for them, I suspect the Cubs will handle them easily.

MLB Picks:

- Cubs if the line is -110 or better

- Over if the line is 8.5 or better

- Happ Over 1.5 total bases if the line is -160 or better

MLB quick picks: Sunday, September 11

- Red Sox if the line is +110 or better (@ Orioles)

- Mets @ Marlins Under if the line is 7.5 or better

- Diamondbacks @ Rockies Over if the line is 9.5 or better

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Cincinnati
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St. Louis
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Minnesota
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San Diego
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Kansas City
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Washington
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Chi. Cubs
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Seattle
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Washington
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Kansas City
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NY Mets
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6/11/2023, 5:37 PM
Minnesota
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Toronto
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6/11/2023, 5:40 PM
Houston
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Texas
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6/11/2023, 6:10 PM
Miami
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Oakland
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6/11/2023, 6:15 PM
Cincinnati
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San Diego
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Seattle
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6/13/2023, 12:10 AM
Cincinnati
Cincinnati @
Kansas City
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MLB
6/13/2023, 1:40 AM
Philadelphia
Philadelphia @
Arizona
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MLB
6/13/2023, 1:40 AM
Tampa Bay
Tampa Bay @
Oakland
Oakland
MLB
6/13/2023, 1:40 AM
Miami
Miami @
Seattle
Seattle
MLB
6/13/2023, 10:40 PM
Atlanta
Atlanta @
Detroit
Detroit
MLB
6/13/2023, 11:05 PM
Toronto
Toronto @
Baltimore
Baltimore
MLB
6/13/2023, 11:10 PM
Colorado
Colorado @
Boston
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MLB
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6/13/2023, 11:45 PM
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6/14/2023, 12:05 AM
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6/14/2023, 12:05 AM
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6/14/2023, 12:10 AM
Washington
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Houston
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MLB
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Cincinnati
Cincinnati @
Kansas City
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MLB
6/14/2023, 1:40 AM
Philadelphia
Philadelphia @
Arizona
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MLB
6/14/2023, 1:40 AM
Tampa Bay
Tampa Bay @
Oakland
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MLB
6/14/2023, 1:40 AM
Miami
Miami @
Seattle
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MLB
6/14/2023, 2:10 AM
Chi. White Sox
Chi. White Sox @
LA Dodgers
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MLB
6/14/2023, 5:10 PM
Atlanta
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Detroit
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6/14/2023, 5:10 PM
Milwaukee
Milwaukee @
Minnesota
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MLB
6/14/2023, 5:15 PM
San Francisco
San Francisco @
St. Louis
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MLB
6/14/2023, 11:05 PM
Toronto
Toronto @
Baltimore
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MLB
6/14/2023, 11:10 PM
Colorado
Colorado @
Boston
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MLB
6/14/2023, 11:10 PM
NY Yankees
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NY Mets
NY Mets
MLB
6/15/2023, 12:05 AM
Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh @
Chi. Cubs
Chi. Cubs
MLB
6/15/2023, 12:05 AM
LA Angels
LA Angels @
Texas
Texas
MLB
6/15/2023, 12:10 AM
Washington
Washington @
Houston
Houston
MLB
6/15/2023, 12:10 AM
Cincinnati
Cincinnati @
Kansas City
Kansas City
MLB
6/15/2023, 1:40 AM
Philadelphia
Philadelphia @
Arizona
Arizona
MLB
6/15/2023, 1:40 AM
Tampa Bay
Tampa Bay @
Oakland
Oakland
MLB
6/15/2023, 1:40 AM
Miami
Miami @
Seattle
Seattle
MLB
6/15/2023, 1:40 AM
Cleveland
Cleveland @
San Diego
San Diego
MLB
6/15/2023, 2:10 AM
Chi. White Sox
Chi. White Sox @
LA Dodgers
LA Dodgers

Last updated: Jun 8, 1:35 AM UTC

MLB Odds

Moneyline
Run Line
Total
Odds Settings
Game
Jun 7, 23 @ 11:05 PM UTC
Arizona
Arizona @
Washington
Washington
Jun 7, 23 @ 11:10 PM UTC
Boston
Boston @
Cleveland
Cleveland
Jun 7, 23 @ 11:10 PM UTC
LA Dodgers
LA Dodgers @
Cincinnati
Cincinnati
Jun 7, 23 @ 11:20 PM UTC
NY Mets
NY Mets @
Atlanta
Atlanta

Odds updated: Jun 8, 1:38 AM UTC