Minnesota Twins vs. Chicago Cubs Picks and Prediction for Saturday, July 18, 2026
Use Code WWWC The Minnesota Twins visit the Chicago Cubs on Saturday at 2:20 PM ET at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois. Minnesota has a 48-49 record and sits third in the AL Central, three games behind Chicago and Cleveland. The Twins won their final two games before the All-Star break, including a 4-2 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday. Chicago is 54-42 and second in the NL Central, five games behind Milwaukee. The Cubs also closed the first half with two straight wins, finishing with an 8-4 victory over Cincinnati. Build your bankroll with our free MLB picks.
Minnesota Twins Looking to Keep Their Winning Streak Going
Minnesota ranks ninth in MLB with a .248 team batting average and has scored 471 runs through 97 games. The Twins have collected 811 hits, 120 home runs, a .323 on-base percentage, and a .415 slugging percentage. Byron Buxton leads the club with 25 home runs while batting .271 with a .575 slugging percentage. Josh Bell has a team-high 60 RBIs and 85 hits, while Brooks Lee has added 14 home runs and 51 RBIs. Trevor Larnach is batting .289 with a .379 on-base percentage, giving Minnesota another consistent hitter in the middle of the lineup.
The Twins have had more trouble preventing runs. Minnesota ranks 24th in MLB with a 4.62 ERA and a 1.37 WHIP while allowing opponents to bat .251. The pitching staff has recorded 804 strikeouts against 349 walks and has surrendered 115 home runs. Minnesota has produced 36 quality starts, but the overall staff numbers show that limiting traffic and extra-base damage remains a concern as the second half begins.
Injuries: Cole Sands (15-Day IL), Byron Buxton (10-Day IL), Marco Raya (15-Day IL), Garrett Acton (60-Day IL), Connor Prielipp (15-Day IL).
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Chicago Cubs Looking to Stay in the NL Central Race
Chicago is batting .244 with 484 runs, 798 hits, 121 home runs, a .336 on-base percentage, and a .411 slugging percentage. Pete Crow-Armstrong leads the Cubs with a .291 batting average, 104 hits, 21 home runs, and a .386 on-base percentage. Dansby Swanson has driven in a team-high 58 runs while hitting 16 home runs, and Ian Happ has added 17 homers. Seiya Suzuki is batting .268 with 15 home runs and 48 RBIs, while Michael Busch owns a .368 on-base percentage.
The Cubs rank 21st in MLB with a 4.33 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP while opponents are batting .246. Chicago pitchers have recorded 748 strikeouts against 296 walks and have allowed 148 home runs, one of the larger totals among the league’s pitching staffs. The Cubs have logged 24 quality starts and 20 saves, but the home-run total remains the biggest weakness in the team’s ERA.
Injuries: Matt Shaw (10-Day IL), Ethan Roberts (15-Day IL), Tyler Austin (60-Day IL), Jameson Taillon (15-Day IL), Daniel Palencia (15-Day IL).
Pitching Matchup
Minnesota Twins – Taj Bradley
Bradley is 9-3 with a 3.59 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP across 102.2 innings. The right-hander has allowed 85 hits and 15 home runs while striking out 118 batters and issuing 40 walks. His strikeout total gives Minnesota a way to limit balls in play, and his 12.2 hits plus walks per nine innings have helped him work through traffic without allowing major damage. Bradley has been one of Minnesota’s more dependable rotation options this season.
Chicago Cubs – Matthew Boyd
Boyd is 5-1 with a 4.50 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP over 46.0 innings. The left-hander has allowed 46 hits and five home runs while recording 47 strikeouts against 13 walks. Boyd has shown solid control, but opponents have still averaged one hit per inning against him. Minnesota’s right-handed power bats could test him early, especially if Chicago struggles to keep runners off base.
Minnesota Twins vs. Chicago Cubs Game Pick
- Minnesota Twins
Minnesota is the game pick because Bradley owns the better starting numbers and gives the Twins a clear edge on the mound. The Twins also hold a slight advantage in batting average, runs scored per game, and slugging percentage. Chicago has been the stronger team overall and plays well at Wrigley Field, but Boyd’s 4.50 ERA creates more risk than Bradley’s 3.59 mark. Minnesota finished the first half with two straight wins and has enough power through Bell, Lee, Clemens, and Larnach to support its starter.
Minnesota Twins vs. Chicago Cubs Over/Under Pick
- Over
The over is the best bet because both pitching staffs have allowed runs and home runs at a high rate. Minnesota owns a 4.62 team ERA, while Chicago has surrendered 148 home runs through 96 games. Both offenses have scored more than 470 runs and have hit at least 120 homers. Bradley can limit damage, but Boyd has a 4.50 ERA, and the middle innings could expose both bullpens. With warm conditions listed at 85 degrees and two capable power lineups, this matchup will cash over the closing line.
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