Twins vs Cubs Prediction 7/18/2026 Today’s MLB Picks

In this article we will formulate a Twins vs Cubs prediction for this MLB game on Saturday, July 18th at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup. 

Minnesota Twins Betting Preview

The Minnesota Twins are 49-49 this year after they won game one by a score of 5-2 on Friday night. Minnesota trailed 1-0 in the first inning, but they scored four runs in the third and never looked back in the win. The Twins recorded seven hits and they committed one error in the game, while they were led by Jeffers, who went 1-4 with one home run and three RBIs. Ober allowed five hits and two earned runs over 5.1 innings for the win, while Gomez picked up the save. Prior to this series, Minnesota won two out of three against the Angels and two out of three against the Guardians. 

This season, Minnesota has a 4.60 ERA with a 1.37 WHIP and a .251 opponent batting average, while they have scored 476 runs with a .248 batting average and a .322 on base percentage. Byron Buxton has led the Twins with 25 home runs and 45 RBIs, while Josh Bell has added 13 home runs and 60 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Minnesota is Taj Bradley, who is 9-3 with a 3.59 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP over 102.2 innings pitched this year. 

Chicago Cubs Betting Preview

The Chicago Cubs are 54-43 this season after they lost game one by a score of 2-5 last night. Chicago cut the deficit to 4-2 in the sixth inning, but couldn’t score anymore runs in the loss. The Cubs recorded six hits and they committed one error in the game, while they were led by Busch, who went 1-4 with one RBI. Rea allowed five hits and three earned runs over 6.0 innings for the loss, while Pomeranz allowed one earned run in relief. Prior to this series, Chicago won two out of three against the Reds and two out of three against the Orioles. 

This season, Chicago has a 4.33 ERA with a 1.28 WHIP and a .246 opponent batting average, while they have scored 486 runs with a .243 batting average and a .336 on base percentage. Dansby Swanson has led the Cubs with 16 home runs and 58 RBIs, while Ian Happ has added 17 home runs and 42 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Chicago is Matthew Boyd, who is 5-1 with a 4.50 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP over 46.0 innings pitched this season. 

Why the Chicago Cubs will win

• The Cubs have won eight of their last nine home games against AL Central opponents following a home loss.
• The Twins have lost each of their last seven Saturday games against NL Central opponents that held a winning record.
• The Cubs have covered the run line in six of their last seven home games against AL Central opponents following a loss.
• The Twins have failed to cover the run line in four of their last five day games against the Cubs following a win.
• The Twins have trailed after 3 innings in three of their last four day games against NL Central opponents.
• The Cubs have won the first inning in three of their last four games against AL Central opponents.

Why the Minnesota Twins will win

• The Twins have won seven of their last eight games as road underdogs.
• The Cubs have lost each of their last six day games against American League opponents following a loss.
• The Cubs have failed to cover the run line in each of their last eight games as favorites against American League opponents following a loss.
• The Twins have covered the run line in each of their last six games as road underdogs after playing the previous day.
• The Cubs have trailed after 5 innings in three of their last four home games.
• The Cubs have trailed after 3 innings in three of their last four games at Wrigley Field.

Total Runs Facts

• Eight of the Cubs’ last nine day games as favorites have gone OVER the total runs line.
• Seven of the Twins’ last eight day games after playing the previous day have gone UNDER the total runs line.
• There has been at least one run scored in the first inning in each of the Twins’ last six road games.
• There has been at least one run scored in the first inning in each of the Cubs’ last seven Saturday day games against AL Central opponents.

Chicago Cubs Player Prop Facts

• Pete Crow-Armstrong has hit a home run in three of the Cubs’ last five games as home favorites against AL opponents.
• Matthew Boyd has recorded six or more strikeouts in four of his last five home appearances against the Twins.
• Michael Busch has recorded at least one hit in each of the Cubs’ last seven games as home favorites against AL opponents.
• Matthew Boyd has recorded a win in five of his last six appearances with his team as a home favorite against AL Central opponents .

Minnesota Twins Player Prop Facts

• Ryan Jeffers has hit a home run in each of his last two appearances with the Twins as underdogs.
• Taj Bradley has recorded seven or more strikeouts in three of his last four appearances with the Twins as underdogs.
• Josh Bell has recorded at least one hit in each of the Twins’ last 10 games as road underdogs against NL opponents.
• Taj Bradley has recorded a win in each of his last three appearances.

Twins vs Cubs Prediction 

Minnesota was able to start this series with a win on Friday night and they have won three games in a row. The Twins are 23-24 on the road this year, while the Cubs are 27-20 at home. Chicago has lost three of their last five games and they have scored two runs or fewer in all three of those losses. The Cubs are starting Boyd, who has allowed 4, 0, and 3 earned runs in his last three outings, while Bradley has allowed two earned runs or fewer in five straight starts. Take the under here.

David Racey's Pick: Under 9