Prediction: St. Louis Cardinals VS Chicago Cubs 2025-09-27
Chicago Cubs vs. St. Louis Cardinals: A Playoff Push vs. a Postseason Pilgrimage
The Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals are set for a season finale that’s less about suspense and more about stakes. The Cubs, playoff-bound for the first time since 2020, need one more win to clinch the National League’s first Wild Card spot. The Cardinals, meanwhile, are here for the ambiance, the hot dogs, and to test-drive their new “Already Eliminated” team jersey. Let’s break this down with the precision of a MLB closer and the humor of a ballpark comedian.
Parse the Odds: Cubs Have the Edge, But Can They Avoid a “Second-Place Hangover?”
The Cubs are favored at -150 to -160 (implied probability: ~62-64%) across bookmakers, while the Cardinals sit at +240 to +250 (39-41%). These numbers reflect not just records (Cubs: 89-70, Cardinals: 78-81) but also the Cardinals’ lack of incentive. The spread of Chicago -1.5 suggests the market expects the Cubs to win comfortably, and with their offense averaging 5.2 runs per game and three players (Crow-Armstrong, Suzuki, Busch) all hitting 30+ homers, that’s not unfounded.
The pitching matchup? Cubs’ Jameson Taillon (3.78 ERA) vs. Cardinals’ Michael McGreevy (4.35 ERA). Taillon’s ERA is almost a full run better, and the Cubs’ bullpen just served up a five-hit, 12-1 shellacking of St. Louis last time out. If history repeats, the Cardinals’ bats might as well pack their luggage.
Digest the News: Playoff Fire vs. Postseason Pilgrimage
The Cubs are on a mission. Pete Crow-Armstrong, the 30-30-30 man (homers, doubles, steals), has been a triple threat, while Seiya Suzuki’s grand slam prowess makes him Wrigley Field’s version of a standing ovation waiting to happen. Michael Busch? He’s just here to collect home runs like trading cards. On the mound, Colin Rea’s recent performance (5.2 innings, 2 hits allowed) showed the Cubs’ pitching can shut teams out faster than a locked-down clubhouse.
The Cardinals? They’re here for the experience. Their 78-81 record is about as competitive as a team of accounting majors in a dance-off. Sure, they won two of three in their last series against Chicago, but that was before the Cubs discovered the secret to winning: not losing 12-1 to your archrival. With their playoff hopes long dead, the Cards might play like a team on vacation—showing up in the uniform but mentally checking out to the nearest airport.
Humorous Spin: The Cardinals Are Here for the “Soul”
Let’s be real: The Cardinals are the baseball equivalent of a “meh” emoji. They’re not here to compete; they’re here to exist. Their offense? A group of guys hoping for a rally that’ll probably come next season. Their defense? A collection of gloves waiting for a play that’ll likely happen in someone else’s highlight reel.
Meanwhile, the Cubs are like a spreadsheet that finally balanced itself: relieved, motivated, and ready to celebrate. Their offense is so potent, they could hit a home run off a thrown beanbag. Their pitching? So dominant, even the wind in Wrigley Field is scared to carry pop flies.
And let’s not forget the Cardinals’ pitcher, Michael McGreevy. With a 4.35 ERA, he’s the MLB version of a “meh” sandwich—competent, but not exactly a Michelin star. Facing Taillon, who’s been tighter than a closed locker room, it’s like sending a poet to debate a philosopher: Respectable, but not the best matchup.
Prediction: Cubs Clinch, Cardinals Check Out
The Cubs have the edge in talent, motivation, and home-field advantage. Their magic number is 1, and with the Padres’ subpar season, a win here butts them into the postseason. The Cardinals, playing for pride (and maybe a team photo), lack the spark to pull off an upset.
Final Score Prediction: Cubs 6, Cardinals 2.
Why? The Cubs’ bats will feast on McGreevy, Crow-Armstrong will do something statistically impossible, and the Cardinals will watch the game like they’re waiting for a bus that no longer stops here.
Bet: Take the Cubs at -150. Unless you’re a fan of last-minute rallies, in which case… good luck. You’ll need it.
In conclusion, this game is less of a contest and more of a retirement party for the Cardinals. The Cubs? They’re here to remind everyone why they’re the team you root for—and the team you definitely don’t want to face in a playoff race.
Created: Sept. 27, 2025, 8:58 a.m. GMT