PLAYOFFHOTELS
MLB · JULY 18, 2026 ● LIVE

Minnesota Twins at Chicago Cubs

Wrigley Field · Chicago, IL

THE PICK

MIN Minnesota TwinsAWAY · 1499 ELO
@
Chicago CubsHOME · 1527 ELO CHC
42.8% WIN PROBABILITY 57.2%

The model makes Chicago Cubs a 57.2% favorite — home advantage included. One game is one game: a 57.2% edge still loses 42.8 times in 100.

Prediction history

16 UPDATES

Every time the model moved this pick — logged in full. It updates until 15 minutes before gametime, then locks.

57.2% Chicago Cubs ▼ -0.7
Ratings shifted on the latest results run.
57.9% Chicago Cubs ▲ +0.4
Ratings shifted on the latest results run.
57.5% Chicago Cubs ▲ +0.5
Ratings shifted on the latest results run.
57.0% Chicago Cubs ▼ -0.5
Ratings shifted on the latest results run.
57.5% Chicago Cubs ▲ +0.5
Ratings shifted on the latest results run.
57.0% Chicago Cubs ▼ -0.5
Ratings shifted on the latest results run.
57.5% Chicago Cubs ▼ -0.3
Ratings shifted on the latest results run.
57.8% Chicago Cubs ▲ +0.5
Ratings shifted on the latest results run.
57.3% Chicago Cubs ▲ +0.4
Ratings shifted on the latest results run.
56.9% Chicago Cubs ▼ -0.3
Ratings shifted on the latest results run.
57.2% Chicago Cubs ▲ +0.6
Ratings shifted on the latest results run.
56.6% Chicago Cubs ▲ +0.4
Ratings shifted on the latest results run.
56.2% Chicago Cubs ▼ -0.4
Ratings shifted on the latest results run.
56.6% Chicago Cubs ▼ -0.6
Ratings shifted on the latest results run.
57.2% Chicago Cubs ▼ -0.4
Ratings shifted on the latest results run.
OPEN
57.6% Chicago Cubs OPENING LINE
First model run when the matchup posted. Elo gap of 28 points at open.

The factors

2 IN THE NUMBER

Everything the model sees for this game. Only backtest-validated signals move the probability — the rest is context, shown anyway.

PROBABLE STARTERS

Taj Bradley FIP 3.93 · ERA 3.59 · 102.2 IP
Matthew Boyd FIP 3.58 · ERA 4.50 · 46 IP

GAME-TIME CONDITIONS · DAY GAME

91°F DEW 69°F HUM 49% WIND 17 MPH GUSTS 26 MPH CLOUD 61% RAIN 26% 988 hPa

SCHEDULE & TRAVEL

MIN REST 0D CHC REST 0D MIN TRAVELED 0 MI INTERLEAGUE

IN THE NUMBER

WXWIND VARIANCEPITCH +3 ELO

The numbers

AWAY

Minnesota Twins
ELO RATING1499
RANK#18
RECORD48-49
LAST 107-3
STREAKW2

HOME

Chicago Cubs
ELO RATING1527
RANK#5
RECORD54-42
LAST 106-4
STREAKW2

Ratings come from every MLB result this season — updated daily, weighted by margin of victory, with Chicago Cubs getting the standard home bump. An Elo difference of 28 points plus home advantage at Wrigley Field produces the 57.2% call. Full methodology →

What could break the pick

Minnesota Twins come in hot on a 2-game win streak — recent form the season-long rating hasn't fully priced in. This is a coin-flip game — the model calls it a lean, not a lock. Starting pitchers, lineup cards, and bullpen usage move real outcomes in ways a rating system can’t see.