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Twins vs Cubs Prediction 7/18/26 MLB Picks Today

Minnesota Twins (49-49) vs. Chicago Cubs (54-43)
July 18, 2026 2:20 pm EDT
The Line: Chicago Cubs -149 / Minnesota Twins 123; Over/Under: 9
(Get latest betting odds)

In this article, we will formulate a Twins vs Cubs Prediction for this MLB matchup on Saturday, July 18th in the second game of this series. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup.

Chicago Cubs Preview

The Chicago Cubs have a 54-43 record this season and are sitting in the 2nd place of the NL Central. They have a 27-20 home record and are coming off a 2-5 home loss against the Twins. They will face the Tigers and the Pirates next.


The Chicago Cubs have a .243 batting average this season, .336 OBP and .409 Slugging percentage. Chicago’s pitching staff has a 4.33 ERA and 1.28 WHIP. Pete Crow-Armstrong is the team’s best hitter with a .288 batting average, adding a team-high 21 home runs. Dansby Swanson leads the team in RBI with 58.

Matthew Boyd (L) is the projected starting pitcher for the Chicago Cubs, and he has a 5-1 record, 4.50 ERA and 1.28 WHIP.

Minnesota Twins Preview

The Minnesota Twins have a 49-49 record this season and are sitting in the 3rd place of the AL Central. They have a 23-24 away record and are coming off a 5-2 road win against the Cubs. They will face the Guardians and the Athletics next.

The Minnesota Twins have a .248 batting average this season, .322 OBP and .414 Slugging percentage. Minnesota’s pitching staff has a 4.60 ERA and 1.37 WHIP. Byron Buxton is the team’s best hitter with a .271 batting average, adding a team-high 25 home runs. Josh Bell leads the team in RBI with 60.

Taj Bradley (R) is the projected starting pitcher for the Minnesota Twins, and he has a 9-3 record, 3.59 ERA and 1.22 WHIP.

Minnesota Twins @ the Chicago Cubs Betting Trends: July 18, 2026

 

  • Probable Starting Pitcher: Matthew Boyd      Record this season: 5-1      ERA: 4.50
  • Home Record: 3-1
  • Last 5 against Twins: 2-2

Why the Chicago Cubs will win

  • The Cubs have won nine of their last 10 home games against AL Central opponents following a loss.
  • The Twins have lost nine of their last 10 road games against National League opponents following a road win.
  • The Cubs have covered the run line in each of their last four day games against AL Central opponents following a home loss.
  • The Twins have failed to cover the run line in five of their last six day games against NL Central opponents following a win.
  • The Cubs have led after 3 innings in four of their last five home day games.
  • The Cubs have led after 5 innings in eight of their last 10 day games at Wrigley Field against AL Central opponents.
  • The Twins have lost the first inning in five of their last six road games against NL Central opponents.

 

  • Probable Starting Pitcher: Taj Bradley      Record this season: 9-3      ERA: 3.59
  • Road Record: 6-2
  • Last 5 against Cubs: 1-1

Why the Minnesota Twins will win

  • The Twins have won each of their last six games as road underdogs after playing the previous day.
  • The Cubs have lost nine of their last 10 day games against American League opponents.
  • The Cubs have failed to cover the run line in each of their last eight games against American League opponents following a loss.
  • The Twins have covered the run line in each of their last nine Saturday games as road underdogs against National League opponents.
  • The Twins have led after 5 innings in five of their last six games as road underdogs.
  • The Twins have led after 3 innings in each of their last four games.

Total Runs Facts

  • Each of the Cubs’ last seven day games as favorites have gone OVER the total runs line.
  • Seven of the Twins’ last eight games have gone UNDER the total runs line.
  • There has been at least one run scored in the first inning in each of Taj Bradley’s last eight road appearances as a starter.
  • There has been at least one run scored in the first inning in eight of the last nine games between the Twins and Cubs at Wrigley Field.

Chicago Cubs Player Prop Facts

  • Pete Crow-Armstrong has hit a home run in three of the Cubs’ last five home games against AL opponents.
  • Matthew Boyd has recorded six or more strikeouts in seven of his last eight appearances against the Twins.
  • Michael Busch has recorded at least one hit in each of the Cubs’ last seven home games against AL opponents.
  • Matthew Boyd has recorded a win in each of his last four appearances with his team as a home favorite against AL Central opponents.
  • Pete Crow-Armstrong is one of only three players to record 10+ Home Runs and 4+ Triples this season.

Minnesota Twins Player Prop Facts

  • Ryan Jeffers has hit a home run in each of his last three appearances with the Twins as road underdogs against NL opponents.
  • Taj Bradley has recorded six or more strikeouts in each of his last four appearances.
  • Josh Bell has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 11 road appearances against NL opponents that held a winning record.
  • Taj Bradley has recorded a win in four of his last five appearances.

Matchup/League Facts

  • The Cubs rank 1st in the league for walks this season (421).
  • The Cubs rank 29th in the league for home runs allowed this season (149).
  • The Twins are one of only five teams in the league to rank top 10 in both home runs and batting average this season.
  • The Twins rank 6th in the league for runs scored this season (476).

Twins vs Cubs Prediction

The Twins are 6-3 in their last 9 meetings against the Cubs but have lost two of their last three visits in Chicago.

In this Twins vs Cubs Prediction, the Cubs are coming as -140 home favorites. The Twins have been red-hot with a 7-2 record in their last 9 games and I like them again today with Taj Bradley, who has been in excellent form, having given up two runs or less in each of his last five starts. Boyd has been up and down for the Cubs and bad at home with a 5.04 ERA, while the Twins have been excellent against lefties lately. Take the Twins to win this one on the road.

 

Nikos Lagouretos's Free Pick: Minnesota Twins ML

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