Pete Crow-Armstrong (NA) Under 1.5 Hits (-278)

Odds available at draftkings at time of publishing

As the Chicago Cubs host the Minnesota Twins, all eyes will be on Pete Crow-Armstrong, but betting on him to go over 1.5 hits might be a stretch. The young outfielder has shown flashes of brilliance, but consistency has eluded him, particularly against quality pitching. With the Twins rolling out a formidable starter who has excelled in limiting hard contact, it’s hard to envision Crow-Armstrong finding gaps. Moreover, the Cubs’ lineup has struggled against right-handed pitching lately, mustering only a .230 average over their last ten games. Combine this with Crow-Armstrong's recent slump, where he’s been striking out at an alarming rate, and the under on his hits starts to look enticing. With a model predicting just 0.36 hits, the under 1.5 seems like a prudent play. The trends suggest a challenging night for Crow-Armstrong at the plate, making the under a savvy call in this matchup.

Trevor Larnach (MIN) Under 1.5 Total Bases (-169)

Odds available at draftkings at time of publishing

As the Cubs welcome the Twins to Wrigley Field, all eyes will be on Trevor Larnach, but the under on his total bases might just be the savvy play. Larnach has been in a bit of a funk lately, struggling against right-handers like Cubs’ Marcus Stroman, who boasts a solid 2.85 ERA at home. The Cubs’ pitching staff has kept opposing hitters in check, and Stroman’s ability to command the zone could stifle Larnach’s bat. Looking at Larnach’s recent numbers, he’s averaged just 0.5 total bases over his last few games, and with the Cubs' defense tightening up, getting to 1.5 might be a stretch. With the Cubs playing meaningful baseball and looking to continue their playoff push, expect a low-scoring affair that doesn’t play into Larnach’s hands. The smart money is on the under here as he likely falls short of that total.

Ian Happ (CHC) Under 1.5 Total Bases (-145)

Odds available at draftkings at time of publishing

As the Chicago Cubs gear up to face the Minnesota Twins, all eyes will be on Ian Happ, but betting on him to go over 1.5 total bases might be a stretch. While Happ has shown flashes of brilliance this season, he’s been in a funk lately, hitting just .220 over his last 10 games. The Twins’ pitching staff has been stingy, particularly their starter who boasts a solid 3.50 ERA against left-handed hitters. Moreover, the Cubs’ lineup has struggled to generate consistent run support, averaging fewer than four runs per game in July. With Happ likely facing a steady diet of breaking balls and a pitcher who can keep hitters off balance, it’s hard to see him racking up the extra bases. Given these factors, the under on 1.5 total bases feels like a smart play in this matchup.

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