The Kansas City Royals host the Chicago Cubs on August 8, 2026. First pitch from Kauffman Stadium is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET. The game will be broadcast on ROYL.
The Cubs are favored by -162 on the moneyline and by -1.5 on the run line. The Royals are +151 on the moneyline and +1.5 on the run line. The total is set at 9.5 runs.
Find our MLB picks and Cubs vs Royals prediction below, as well as probable pitchers, weather report, and more.
Cubs vs Royals Prediction
- Cubs vs Royals Pick: Clay Holmes Under 3.5 Strikeouts (+103)
Our Cubs vs Royals best bet is on Holmes' strikeouts prop. Make sure to find the best odds by checking our live MLB odds page.
Cubs vs Royals Odds
| Cubs Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 -110 | 9.5 100o / -120u | -162 |
| Royals Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -109 | 9.5 100o / -120u | +151 |
- Cubs vs Royals moneyline: Cubs -162, Royals +151
- Cubs vs Royals over/under: 9.5 (+100o / -120u)
- Cubs vs Royals spread: Cubs -1.5 (-110), Royals +1.5 (-109)
Cubs vs Royals Probable Pitchers
| Clay Holmes (RHP, CHC) | Stat | Seth Lugo (RHP, KC) |
|---|---|---|
| 4-4 | W-L | 4-7 |
| 1.2 | fWAR (FanGraphs) | 1.4 |
| 2.39 / 3.91 | ERA / xERA | 4.41 / 5.35 |
| 3.20 / 3.68 | FIP / xFIP | 4.26 / 4.60 |
| 12.6 | K-BB% | 9.9 |
| 56.0 | GB% | 40.2 |
| .250 | BABIP | .311 |
| 102 | Stuff+ | 88 |
| 102 | Location+ | 103 |
Cubs vs Royals MLB Betting Preview
Action PRO projects Cubs starter Clay Holmes for 3.20 strikeouts today against the Royals, giving us a nice 11.5% edge against the market when compared to his current prop line of over/under 3.5, which is good enough to tag the under with a B grade in our system.
After recovering from a broken leg, Holmes will be making his first appearance as a Cub after being acquired from the Mets on Monday via trade. The right-hander hasn't pitched since May, so Chicago will likely have him on a short leash.
With doubts regarding his form after such a long absence and the Cubs' interest in getting him ready for the playoffs, Holmes should not be on the mound long enough to rack up many Ks.
At plus money, let's fade him on his strikeout line against Kansas City.
Pick: Clay Holmes Under 3.5 Strikeouts (+103, DraftKings)
