Cleveland Guardians @ Chicago Cubs - July 3, 2025

Oh man, do I love the sound of crackin’ bats and cheering crowds! Wrigley Field is going to be electric this Thursday as our beloved Chicago Cubs take on the Cleveland Guardians in what promises to be a thrilling interleague matchup. You can bet your bottom dollar that all eyes will be on the diamond, especially with a team like the Cubs showcasing their talent against a struggling opponent.

First off, let’s talk about pitching. The Cubs are sending out Cade Horton, who has been pretty solid for us this season with a 3-2 record and an ERA that sits just under four. He’s got those strikeouts piling up—over seven per game—and that’s exactly what we need against a Guardians lineup that hasn’t exactly been lighting it up lately. On the flip side, we have Luis Ortiz taking the mound for Cleveland. While he has managed to ring up some strikeouts too, his record isn’t flattering at 4-9, and an ERA over four makes me feel pretty confident about our chances.

Now let’s dive into those batting stats because that’s where it gets really interesting! The Cubs have been averaging nearly 5.5 runs per game—let’s go! We’re hitting close to nine hits a game, which speaks volumes about our offensive prowess. With more than five RBIs per game, we’re not only getting guys on base but also bringing them home when it matters most.

Contrast that with the Guardians; they’ve been struggling big time lately. They’re averaging just under 3.7 runs per game and their batting average is hovering around .221—not exactly something to write home about! And with their current streak of six losses in a row? Yikes! I mean, we’ve all seen how critical momentum can be in baseball, and right now the Guardians are lacking any spark.

Oddsmakers have opened with us favored at -147—fairly generous considering how dominant we’ve looked lately compared to them—and I think they nailed it here. With our recent form showing a 5-2 record over our last seven games and Cleveland being just 1-7 ATS in its last eight outings—it’s clear who has the upper hand!

The total for this one opened at 8.5 runs. However, given how strong our pitching has been along with Cleveland’s tendency to struggle offensively, I’m inclined to predict that we’ll see fewer fireworks than expected tonight; I’m leaning toward the UNDER here.

So grab your favorite jersey (I know I’ve got mine ready) because it’s going to be an exciting night at Wrigley! I’m predicting nothing less than another victory for my Cubbies as we continue building momentum towards what could be an incredible season ahead. Let’s get ready for some great baseball—Go Cubs Go!