Chicago Cubs vs Cleveland Guardians Prediction 4/5/2026 Today’s MLB Picks

The Chicago Cubs and Cleveland Guardians meet Sunday in an MLB doubleheader 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 3-4 on the year and play the Rays and Pirates next. The Chicago Cubs are batting .222 on the season and have a .315 OBP, and a .342 slugging percentage. The Chicago Cubs pitching staff has a 3.63 ERA and a 1.16 WHIP. Nico Hoerner leads the Chicago Cubs with 7 hits and 3 RBI, while Pete Crow-Armstrong and Alex Bregman have combined for 13 hits and 6 RBI.

Edward Cabrera and Shota Imanaga get the ball for the Cubs.

Cleveland Guardians Betting Preview

The Cleveland Guardians are 5-3 on the year and play the Royals and Braves next. The Cleveland Guardians are batting. 203 on the season, have a .287 OBP, and have a .348 slugging percentage. The Cleveland Guardians pitching staff has a 3.60 ERA and a 1.21 WHIP. Chase DeLauter leads the Cleveland Guardians with 9 hits and 8 RBI while Steven Kwan and Jose Ramirez have combined for 13 hits and 7 RBI.

Parker Messick and Slade Cecconi get the ball for the Cleveland Guardians.

Why the Cleveland Guardians will win

• The Cubs have lost each of their last eight road games against teams that held a winning record.
• The Guardians have won each of their last five games as underdogs against NL Central opponents following a win.
• The Guardians have covered the run line in nine of their last 10 games as home underdogs.
• The Cubs have failed to cover the run line in each of their last four road games.
• The Guardians have led after 5 innings in five of their last six games at Progressive Field against NL Central opponents that hold a losing record.

Why the Chicago Cubs will win

• The Cubs have won each of their last seven day games against American League opponents following a road loss.
• The Guardians have lost six of their last seven home games on the first leg of a doubleheader.
• The Cubs have covered the run line in each of their last seven day games against AL Central opponents following a loss.
• The Guardians have failed to cover the run line in each of their last eight Sunday day games against teams that held a losing record.
• The Guardians have trailed after 3 innings in four of their last five home games.

Total Runs Facts

• Each of the Guardians’ last five games against National League opponents has gone UNDER the total runs line.
• Ten of the Cubs’ last 12 road games against AL Central opponents have gone UNDER the total runs line.
• The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the last 10 games between the Cubs and Guardians at Progressive Field.
• The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Cubs’ last six Sunday day games against AL Central opponents.

Cleveland Guardians Player Prop Facts

• Jose Ramirez has hit a home run in three of the Guardians’ last four games at Progressive Field against NL Central opponents that held a losing record.
• Jose Ramirez has recorded at least one hit in each of the Guardians’ last six home games against NL Central opponents that held a losing record.
• Chase DeLauter ranks 1st amongst qualified players for Slugging Percentage (.923) this season.

Chicago Cubs Player Prop Facts

• Edward Cabrera has recorded six or more strikeouts in three of his last four appearances with his team as a favorite.
• Edward Cabrera has recorded a win in three of his last four appearances with his team as a favorite.
• Seiya Suzuki has recorded a hit in each of his last eight appearances with the Cubs as favorites.
• Seiya Suzuki has hit a home run in each of his last two road appearances against opponents that held a winning record.
• Ian Happ ranks T4th in the league in Home Runs (3) this season.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Guardians rank T25th in the league for runs scored this season (26).
• The Guardians rank 25th in the league for batting average this season (.203).
• The Cubs rank 3rd in the league for hits allowed this season (49).
• The Cubs rank T4th in the league for steals this season (8).

Chicago Cubs vs Cleveland Guardians Prediction

Game 1 Prediction: Cabrera is a talented pitcher who has a chance to shine now that he’s out of Miami. He looked great through six innings against the Angels and should be able to build on that showing. Cecconi has been hittable throughout his career and he was rocked by the Mariners in his season debut. The Cubs have a major edge on the mound. Give me the Cubs in game 1.

Game 2 Prediction: Messick was sharp in his season debut but he’s still a young pitcher with just eight career starts. I like larger sample sizes in my pitchers. Imanaga has been solid through his first two seasons, so I’m not concerned about his season debut. Imanaga has earned the benefit of the doubt. It’s not easy to win both games in a doubleheader, but I like the pitching edge with the Cubs. Give me the road team.

Randy Chambers's Pick: Game 1: Chicago Cubs / Game 2: Chicago Cubs