The Chicago Cubs are set to take on the St. Louis Cardinals in a captivating MLB showdown at Busch Stadium on May 26, 2024, starting at 7:10 PM. The forecast predicts overcast skies, setting the stage for an intense matchup.

Javier Assad will be starting as pitcher for the Cubs, carrying an impressive 1.698 ERA into the game. His counterpart from the Cardinals, Sonny Gray, will bring a 2.872 ERA to the mound, promising a duel of high-caliber pitchers.

In terms of standings within the 2024 NL Central Division, the Cubs currently sit in fifth place with a record of 27-25, which translates to a .520 winning percentage. They have a divisional record of 5-6. Recently, the Cubs have faced some struggles, having won only three of their last 10 games and enduring a three-game losing streak. They have posted a 15-11 record at home and a 12-14 tally on the road.

Conversely, the Cardinals hold a ninth-place standing with a record of 24-26 (.480 winning percentage), performing slightly weaker in divisional matchups with a 2-6 record. However, they have a momentum of four consecutive wins and have split their home and away records evenly at 12-12 and 12-14, respectively.

In this matchup, the betting odds are particularly intriguing. The point spread is set at -1.5, favoring the Cardinals, with an over/under total of 7.5 runs. The money line odds see the Cubs at +116, making them slight underdogs, while the Cardinals are favored at -136. These odds suggest a closely contested game, possibly tilting in favor of the Cardinals at their home ground. Fans and bettors alike will be watching closely to see if the Cubs can overcome the odds or if the Cardinals can continue their winning streak.