Chicago Cubs vs Cleveland Guardians Prediction 4/3/2026 Today’s MLB Picks

The Chicago Cubs and Cleveland Guardians meet Friday in MLB action at Progressive Field. Here’s a Chicago Cubs vs. Cleveland Guardians Prediction. This article will include a Chicago Cubs vs. Cleveland Guardians Pick.

Chicago Cubs Betting Preview

The Chicago Cubs are 3-3 on the year and play the Rays and Pirates next. The Chicago Cubs are batting .232 on the season and have a .330 OBP, and a .361 slugging percentage. The Chicago Cubs pitching staff has a 3.50 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP. Nico Hoerner leads the Chicago Cubs with 7 hits and 3 RBI, while Pete Crow-Armstrong and Michael Busch have combined for 12 hits and 4 RBI.

Cade Horton gets the ball for the Chicago Cubs, and he is 1-0 with a 2.84 ERA and 4 strikeouts this season. This will be Horton’s second career game against the Cleveland Guardians.

Cleveland Guardians Betting Preview

The Cleveland Guardians are 4-3 on the year and play the Royals and Braves next. The Cleveland Guardians are batting .189 on the season, have a .273 OBP, and have a .322 slugging percentage. The Cleveland Guardians pitching staff has a 3.98 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP. Steven Kwan leads the Cleveland Guardians with 7 hits and 2 RBI while Chase DeLauter and Brayan Rocchio have combined for 10 hits and 8 RBI.

Joey Cantillo gets the ball for the Cleveland Guardians, and he is 0-0 with a 4.91 ERA and 5 strikeouts this season. This will be Cantillo’s second career game against the Chicago Cubs.

Why the Cleveland Guardians will win

• The Cubs have lost each of their last seven road games against teams that held a winning record.
• The Guardians have won each of their last four games as underdogs against NL Central opponents following a win.
• The Cubs have failed to cover the run line in each of their last seven games against AL Central opponents following a win.
• The Guardians have covered the run line in eight of their last nine games as home underdogs.
• The Guardians have led after 3 innings in six of their last eight day games against National League opponents.
• The Guardians have led after 5 innings in each of their last three day games against National League opponents.

Why the Chicago Cubs will win

• The Guardians have lost each of their last six games against NL Central opponents.
• The Cubs have won eight of their last nine road games against AL Central opponents following a home win.
• The Guardians have failed to cover the run line in each of their last four games following a road win.
• The Cubs have covered the run line in three of their last four games as road favorites.
• The Guardians have trailed after 5 innings in four of their last five games as underdogs against NL Central opponents.
• The Guardians have trailed after 3 innings in three of their last four home games.

Total Runs Facts

• Each of the Guardians’ last four games against National League opponents has gone UNDER the total runs line.
• Nine of the Cubs’ last 11 road games against AL Central opponents have gone UNDER the total runs line.
• The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in 20 of the last 21 games between the Cubs and Guardians.
• The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in seven of the Cubs’ last eight day games against AL Central opponents.

Cleveland Guardians Player Prop Facts

• Steven Kwan has recorded two hits in each of the Guardians’ last three home games against NL opponents.
• Rhys Hoskins has hit a home run in three of his last seven appearances with his team as a home underdog against NL Central opponents.

Chicago Cubs Player Prop Facts

• Nico Hoerner has recorded at least one hit in each of the Cubs’ last 11 games against AL opponents.
• Seiya Suzuki has hit a home run in each of the Cubs’ last two road games.
• Ian Happ ranks T3rd in the league in Home Runs (3) this season.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Guardians rank T4th in the league for doubles this season (12).
• The Guardians rank 26th in the league for slugging percentage this season (.322).
• The Cubs rank 5th in the league for hits allowed this season (40).
• The Cubs rank tied for 7th in the league for strikeouts against this season (49).

Chicago Cubs vs Cleveland Guardians Prediction

The Guardians are getting some love because it’s their home opener and they’ve been sharper this season overall. I still like the Cubs and the cheap price with Horton on the mound. Through 23 career starts, Horton has a 2.68 ERA and 1.07 WHIP while allowing a .218 batting average. Cantillo wasn’t great in his season debut and he’s had issues with control dating back to last season. I’m going to side with the Cubs on the road.

Randy Chambers's Pick: Chicago Cubs