Cubs vs Royals Prediction 8/8/2026 Today’s MLB Picks

In this article we will formulate a Cubs vs Royals prediction for this MLB game on Saturday, August 8th at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup. 

Chicago Cubs Betting Preview

The Chicago Cubs are 68-49 this season after they won game one by a score of 6-4 on Friday night. Chicago trailed 1-0 in the first inning, but they scored four runs in the second and never looked back in the win. The Cubs recorded nine hits in the game and they were led by Suzuki, who went 2-5 with two RBIs. Gausman allowed four hits and two earned runs over 7.0 innings for the win, while Webb picked up the save. Prior to this series, Chicago won a makeup game with the Blue Jays and swept the Dodgers in three games. 

This season, Chicago has a 4.05 ERA with a 1.25 WHIP and a .244 opponent batting average, while they have scored 601 runs with a .248 batting average and a .339 on base percentage. Pete Crow-Armstrong has led the Cubs with 26 home runs and 70 RBIs, while Dansby Swanson has added 17 home runs and 63 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Chicago is Clay Holmes, who is 4-4 with a 2.39 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP over 52.2 innings pitched this season. 

Kansas City Royals Betting Preview

The Kansas City Royals are 48-69 this year after they lost game one by a score of 4-6 last night. Kansas City cut the deficit to 4-2 in the fifth inning, but couldn’t get any closer in the loss. The Royals recorded seven hits and they committed one error in the game, while they were led by Jensen, who went 1-3 with one home run and one RBI. Lynch IV allowed three hits and four earned runs over 1.2 innings for the loss, while Black allowed two earned runs in bulk relief. Prior to this series, Kansas City won two out of three against the Twins, but lost all three against the Royals before that. 

This season, Kansas City has a 4.82 ERA with a 1.42 WHIP and a .260 opponent batting average, while they have scored 484 runs with a .245 batting average and a .312 on base percentage. Carter Jensen has led the Royals with 16 home runs and 55 RBIs, while Bobby Witt has added 13 home runs and 42 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Kansas City is Seth Lugo, who is 4-7 with a 4.41 ERA and a 1.39 WHIP over 128.2 innings pitched this year. 

Why the Kansas City Royals will win

• The Royals have won six of their last seven games as home underdogs against National League opponents.
• The Cubs have lost three of their last four games as favorites against American League opponents following a win.
• The Royals have covered the run line in seven of their last eight games as home underdogs.
• The Cubs have failed to cover the run line in six of their last seven road games against AL Central opponents following a road win.

Why the Chicago Cubs will win

• The Cubs have won each of their last five games.
• The Royals have lost 11 of their last 12 night games at Kauffman Stadium following a home loss.
• The Cubs have covered the run line in each of their last nine road games after playing the previous day.
• The Royals have failed to cover the run line each of their last seven night games against teams that held a winning record.
• The Royals have trailed after 3 innings in four of their last five home games against NL Central opponents.
• The Cubs have won the first inning in six of their last eight games against AL Central opponents.
• The Cubs have led after 5 innings in three of their last four road games against American League opponents.

Total Runs Facts

• Each of the Royals’ last four games against NL Central opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
• Four of the Cubs’ last five games as favorites have gone OVER the total runs line.
• There has been at least one run scored in the first inning in each of the Cubs’ last nine games as favorites against AL Central opponents.
• There has been at least one run scored in the first inning in seven of the Royals’ last eight games as underdogs against NL Central opponents.

Kansas City Royals Player Prop Facts

• Jac Caglianone has hit at least one home run in three of the Royals’ last four home games against NL Central opponents.
• Seth Lugo has recorded four or more strikeouts in 24 of his last 30 appearances in night games against teams that held a winning record.
• Salvador Perez has recorded at least one hit in 18 of his last 19 appearances in night games against NL Central teams that held a winning record.

Chicago Cubs Player Prop Facts

• Seiya Suzuki has hit a home run in two of the Cubs’ last three road games against AL opponents that held a losing record.
• Clay Holmes has recorded four or more strikeouts in each of his last five road appearances.
• Carson Kelly has recorded at least one hit in each of his last eight appearances with the Cubs as road favorites against AL Central opponents.
• Clay Holmes has recorded a win in three of his last four appearances with his team as a road favorite .
• Pete Crow-Armstrong ranks 6th amongst qualified players for Slugging Percentage (.550) this season.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Royals rank 28th in the league for strikeouts this season (859).
• The Royals rank 27th in the league for opponent batting average this season (.260).
• The Cubs rank 2nd in the league for on-base percentage this season (.338).
• The Cubs rank 29th in the league for home runs allowed this season (172).

Cubs vs Royals Prediction 

Chicago stayed red hot with another win to start this series and they have scored 5+ runs in four of their last five games. The Cubs are 33-25 on the road this year, while the Royals are 28-29 at home. Kansas City has split their last four games and they have scored three runs or fewer in three of their last five. The Royals are starting Lugo, who has allowed 5, 1, 3, 1, and 2 earned runs in his last five starts, while Holmes hasn’t pitched since May 15th due to injury. Take the over here.

David Racey's Pick: Over 9.5