Athletics vs Cubs Prediction, Odds & Player Prop Bets Today – MLB, Mar 2

min read
MLB betting odds, predictions and betting odds for today's games
(AP Photo)
BetMGM Betting @BETMGM Mar 02, 2023, 12:54 PM
  • The Cubs are -140 favorites vs the Athletics
  • Athletics starting pitcher: John Patrick Sears, 10.80 ERA
  • Cubs starting pitcher: Marcus Stroman, 4.50 ERA
  • Watch the game on MARQ

The Oakland Athletics (+115) visit Sloan Park to take on the Chicago Cubs (-140) on Thursday, March 2, 2023. First pitch is scheduled for 3:05pm EST in Mesa.

The Cubs are the betting favorite in this game, with the run line sitting at -1.5 (+140).

The Athletics vs Cubs Over/Under is 11.5 total runs for the game.

During Spring Training, the Athletics are 0-2 against the spread (ATS), while the Cubs are 1-2 ATS.

Athletics vs. Cubs Odds, Run Line, Over/Under & Moneyline

SpreadOver / UnderMoneyline
Athletics+1.5 -165O 11.5 -110+115
Cubs -1.5 +140U 11.5 -110-140

Athletics vs Cubs Prediction for Today’s Game

Based on recent trends the model predicts the Cubs will win Thursday‘s Spring Training matchup with 62.1% confidence.

This prediction factors in starting pitchers, recent team and player hitting performances, the last 5 games for both the Athletics and Cubs and up-to-date player injuries.


Bet now on Athletics vs Cubs and all games with BetMGM


We’ve highlighted some favorite MLB player prop bets for Athletics players for Thursday‘s game, looking at profitable historical betting trends:

Best Athletics Player Prop Bets Today:

  • Chad Pinder has hit the Runs Over in 3 of his last 4 away games (+4.65 Units / 116% ROI)
  • Billy McKinney has hit the Singles Under in his last 4 away games (+4.00 Units / 48% ROI)
  • Billy McKinney has hit the Runs Under in his last 4 away games (+4.00 Units / 41% ROI)
  • Luis Barrera has hit the Runs Under in his last 3 games (+3.00 Units / 41% ROI)
  • Cody Thomas has hit the Hits Under in 2 of his last 3 away games (+1.15 Units / 32% ROI)

And here are some favorite MLB player prop bets for Cubs players for Thursday‘s game, looking at profitable historical betting trends:

Best Cubs Player Prop Best Bets Today:

  • Rafael Ortega has hit the Singles Over in his last 3 games (+4.05 Units / 135% ROI)
  • Frank Schwindel has hit the RBIs Under in his last 3 games at home (+3.00 Units / 44% ROI)
  • Christopher Morel has hit the Hits Runs and RBIs Under in 3 of his last 4 games (+1.80 Units / 38% ROI)
  • Nick Madrigal has hit the Hits Over in 2 of his last 5 games (+0.90 Units / 18% ROI)
  • The Oakland Athletics have covered the 1st Five Innings (F5) Run Line in 22 of their last 35 games (+13.45 Units / 37% ROI)
  • The Oakland Athletics have hit the 1st Five Innings (F5) Total Over in 22 of their last 34 games (+10.90 Units / 29% ROI)
  • The Oakland Athletics have covered the Run Line in 47 of their last 79 away games (+9.00 Units / 9% ROI)
  • The Oakland Athletics have hit the Game Total Under in 39 of their last 70 away games (+8.50 Units / 11% ROI)
  • The Oakland Athletics have hit the Moneyline in 34 of their last 81 games (+8.45 Units / 10% ROI)
  • The Chicago Cubs have hit the Game Total Under in 48 of their last 85 games (+19.85 Units / 21% ROI)
  • The Chicago Cubs have hit the 1st Five Innings (F5) Moneyline in 25 of their last 48 games (+17.45 Units / 32% ROI)
  • The Chicago Cubs have hit the 1st Five Innings (F5) Total Under in 50 of their last 85 games (+16.85 Units / 18% ROI)
  • The Chicago Cubs have hit the Team Total Under in 65 of their last 108 games (+16.55 Units / 13% ROI)
  • The Chicago Cubs have hit the Moneyline in 16 of their last 22 games (+16.35 Units / 65% ROI)

Athletics Against the Spread (ATS) Record

Against the spread this MLB season, the Athletics have gone 1-2 against the Run Line (-1.6 Units / -38.55% ROI).

  • 0-2 when betting on the Moneyline for -2.3 Units / -69.7% ROI
  • 2-1 when betting on the total runs Over for +0.9 Units / 26.47% ROI
  • 1-2 when betting on the total runs Under for -1.1 Units / -34.38% ROI

Cubs Against the Spread (ATS) Record

Against the spread this MLB season, the Cubs have gone 1-2 against the Run Line (-1.5 Units / -37.5% ROI).

  • 2-2 when betting on the Moneyline for +0 Units / 0% ROI
  • 2-2 when betting on the total runs Over for -0.3 Units / -6.52% ROI
  • 2-2 when betting on the total runs Under for -0.1 Units / -2.38% ROI

Opponents had a line drive rate of just 20% (42/212) versus JP Sears last season — tied for 10th lowest in MLB among starting pitchers with at least 64 total IP; League Avg: 24% — 94th Percentile.

33% of JP Sears’ strikeouts were looking last season — tied for 13th highest in MLB among starting pitchers with at least 64 total IP; League Avg: 23% — 93rd Percentile.

JP Sears had a strikeout rate of 24% (17/71) in PAs ending on inside fastballs last season — tied for 10th best in MLB among starting pitchers with at least 64 total IP; League Avg: 14% — 93rd Percentile.

JP Sears has not allowed a home run in any of the last 17.0 innings he’s appeared — Jose Quintana has the longest active streak at 67.1.

Cubs Starting Pitcher Stats & Trends

Marcus Stroman threw his curveball 40% of the time (431/1,073) against right-handed batters last season — 3rd highest in MLB among starting pitchers with at least 64 total CB; League Avg: 15% — 98th Percentile.

Marcus Stroman has located his fastballs down 46% of the time (999/2,183) since the start of the 2021 season — 8th highest in MLB among starting pitchers with at least 161 total IP; League Avg: 29% — 95th Percentile.

Left-handed hitters have a groundball rate of 55% (259/468) against Marcus Stroman since the start of the 2021 season — 4th highest in MLB among starting pitchers with at least 161 total IP; League Avg: 44% — 96th Percentile.

Marcus Stroman has walked 13 of 246 batters (5%) with runners in scoring position since the start of the 2021 season — 2nd best in MLB among starting pitchers with at least 161 total IP; League Avg: 9% — 99th Percentile.

Athletics Keys to the Game vs. the Cubs

The Athletics are just 29-52 (.358) at home last season — 2nd lowest in MLB; League Avg: .532.

The Athletics are just 58-87 (.400) when allowing 5 or more extra base hits last season — tied for 2nd lowest in MLB; League Avg: .533.

The Athletics are just 6-14 (.300) when tied entering the 8th inning last season — tied for 2nd lowest in MLB; League Avg: .500.

The Athletics are just 13-42 (.236) when allowing 2 or more home runs last season — 10th lowest in MLB; League Avg: .293.

Cubs Keys to the Game vs. the Athletics

The Cubs are just 9-41 (.180) when allowing 10 or more hits last season — 5th lowest in MLB; League Avg: .273.

The Cubs are just 37-44 (.457) at home last season — tied for 8th lowest in MLB; League Avg: .532.

The Cubs are just 13-43 (.232) when allowing 2 or more home runs last season — 9th lowest in MLB; League Avg: .293.

The Cubs are just 19-106 (.152) when allowing 10 or more hits since the 2020 season — lowest in MLB; League Avg: .266.

Athletics hitters are slugging just .164 on pitches out of the zone since the start of the 2021 season — lowest in MLB; League Avg: .210.

Athletics hitters had an OBP of just .278 (2,878 PA’s) at home last season — lowest in MLB; League Avg: .317.

Athletics hitters had an OPS of just .604 (2,878 PA’s) at home last season — lowest in MLB; League Avg: .718.

The Athletics are batting just .122 on pitches out of the zone since the start of the 2021 season — lowest in MLB; League Avg: .153.

Cubs hitters have grounded into 54 double plays in 386 opportunities (14%) in close and late situations since the start of the 2021 season — highest in MLB; League Avg: 9%.

Cubs hitters slugged just .185 in lefty-lefty matchups last season — lowest in MLB; League Avg: .347.

The Cubs batted .371 on the first pitch of at-bats last season — best in MLB; League Avg: .336.

The Cubs are batting just .153 with two-strikes since the start of the 2021 season — 3rd lowest in MLB; League Avg: .168.

The Athletics have won just 18% of games in which their opponents scored first last season — lowest in MLB; League Avg: 31%.

The Athletics have won just 25% of home games in which their opponents scored first since the start of the 2021 season — 2nd lowest in MLB; League Avg: 37%.

Athletics pitchers had a strikeout rate of just 20% last season — 5th lowest in MLB; League Avg: 22%.

Opponents have a groundball rate of just 41% against Athletics pitchers since the start of the 2021 season — 4th lowest in MLB; League Avg: 43%.

The Cubs pitchers have allowed their opponents to score first in just 41% of their games last season — 3rd lowest in MLB; League Avg: 50%.

The Cubs pitchers have allowed their opponents to score first in just 42% of their games at home last season — 2nd lowest in MLB; League Avg: 54%.

Cubs pitchers have a strikeout rate of just 15% when going through the lineup the third time in a game since the start of the 2021 season — lowest in MLB; League Avg: 19%.

Cubs pitchers have walked 1,137 of 12,365 batters (9%) since the start of the 2021 season — 5th highest in MLB; League Avg: 8%.

Cubs vs. Athletics Injuries Tonight That May Affect Prop Bets 

  • Ethan Roberts (Cubs): Elbow, D60
  • Codi Heuer (Cubs): Elbow, D60
  • Oakland Athletics – No Injuries Reported

Bet now on Athletics vs Cubs and all games with BetMGM


Bet on MLB Odds at BetMGM

At BetMGM, you can bet online with updated MLB betting odds. And with live sports betting, the best online sports betting and mobile sports betting (with the BetMGM Sportsbook app) experiences are at BetMGM.

About the Author

BetMGM Betting

Read More @BETMGM

Our BetMGM betting authors are experts who focus on individual game matchups & player prop bets with an emphasis on betting odds, lines & predictions.

Our BetMGM betting authors are experts who focus on individual game matchups & player prop bets with an emphasis on betting odds, lines & predictions.