Minnesota Twins vs Chicago Cubs Betting Pick & Prediction for Game on 7/18

MLB game preview

The Minnesota Twins will visit the Chicago Cubs in an MLB regular season game at Wrigley Field. The game is set for Saturday, July 18, 2026, at 2:20 PM. Fans can catch the action on MARQ, with weather expected to be very hot and scattered clouds overhead.

The Twins come into the game with a 49-49 record, holding the third spot in the AL Central. They have won their last three games and are 7-3 in their last ten. On the other side, the Cubs have a 54-43 record, sitting in second place in the NL Central. They are coming off a loss and have split their last ten games at 5-5.

Minnesota Twins Team Preview

The Minnesota Twins have been on a good run lately. They won their last game against the Chicago Cubs with a score of 5-2. Bailey Ober pitched well, going 5 1/3 innings and striking out seven batters.

The Twins’ offense has been solid this season. They rank 10th in batting average with .248 and 8th in home runs with 121. Players like Ryan Jeffers and Trevor Larnach have been key contributors with recent home runs.

Looking at pitching, the Twins have some room for improvement. Their team ERA is 4.59, placing them 24th in the league. Taj Bradley will be the starting pitcher in the upcoming game, carrying a 9-3 record and a 3.59 ERA this season.

Twins vs Cubs Game Day Info

  • Sport: MLB
  • Teams: Minnesota Twins vs. Chicago Cubs
  • Venue: Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL
  • Date: Saturday, July 18, 2026
  • Betting Odds: Twins Moneyline +120, Cubs Moneyline -143, Twins Runline +1.5 (-168), Cubs Runline -1.5 (+141), Total Over 9.0 (-109), Total Under 9.0 (-112)

Chicago Cubs Team Preview

The Chicago Cubs have had a mixed set of results in recent games. They lost their last game against the Minnesota Twins by a score of 5-2. In that game, Colin Rea pitched six innings, allowing three earned runs and striking out six batters.

The Cubs secured a win against the Cincinnati Reds on July 12th, with an 8-4 victory. Alex Bregman was a standout player, going 3-for-5 with a home run and four RBIs. Matthew Boyd, who is set to start the next game, pitched six and a third innings, allowing four earned runs in that game.

Offensively, the Cubs have shown strength with their on-base percentage, which ranks third in the league. They have hit 121 home runs this season, placing them eighth in the league. Dansby Swanson leads the team with 16 home runs and has been a key contributor in the lineup.

BTB Betting Pick

The Cubs are favored with a moneyline of -143, while the Twins sit at +120. The Cubs have a slightly better batting average and on-base percentage. Their pitching has given up fewer home runs, which could be key. The projected score leans towards the Cubs winning 5-4. The recommendation is to pick the Cubs to win straight up.

The total for the game is set at 9.0 with odds of -109 for the over and -112 for the under. Both teams have had strong offensive performances, with each hitting over 120 home runs this season. However, their pitching struggles suggest runs could be scored. The projected score of 5-4 suggests taking the over is the better choice.