Cubs vs. Athletics prediction and odds for Tuesday, April 18 (Value on total)

The Cubs took it to the Athletics on Monday night in the series opener, winning 10-1. Will they continue to roll on Tuesday with the team's ace on the mound?

Marcus Stroman draws the start for the Cubs against the lowly A's, who will hope Ken Waldichuk can put together a decent outing, which he had after two miserable starts prior. How does all that factor into Tuesday's handicap with the Cubs as big road favorites?

Let's first check out the odds and then make a bet:

Cubs vs. Athletics odds, run line and total

Cubs vs. Athletics prediction and pick

The A's are 3-14 on the year and the offense is incredibly poor. They are hitting .235 as a team, 23rd in the bigs and are 25th in runs scored. The team will face Stroman, who has three strong starts to this season, allowing just two earned runs.

I expect Stroman, who is striking out the most batters per nine innings in his career, to overpower the lowly A's offense and keep the runs to a minimum. Further, the Cubs bullpen is operating like a top five unit this season.

So, will the Cubs put up double digits again? Maybe, but I'll be against it with Waldichuk hopefully rounding into form for Oakland. He got rocked in his first two starts in 2023, allowing 14 earned runs in less than nine innings. However, he settled in against the Orioles, allowing only three earned runs in over six innings of action.

The biggest issue for Waldichuk has been the long ball, allowing seven already this year. However, the Cubs are struggling at generating power against southpaws, only six home runs in 134 at bats (ninth in baseball) despite hitting over .300 as a group.

Overall, Stroman should roll but Waldichuk may be a little slept on, so I'll take the under as my favorite bet in this game.

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.