Guardians vs. Cubs: Game 2 prediction, odds, injuries and picks

The National League Central-leading Chicago Cubs are looking to close out the series against the Cleveland Guardians as they meet in Wrigley Field for Game 2 of their three-game fixture. The Northsiders came away with a comfortable 5-2 victory over their visitors in the opening matchup, courtesy of starter Matthew Boyd's strong performance.

For Game 2, the Cubbies' coaching staff has elected to start Shota Imanaga. The Japanese star has posted a 4-2 record and 2.54 ERA across nine starts this year. On the other hand, the Guardians' Tanner Bibee will take the bump in hopes of staving off another series loss for the team. Bibee owns a 4-8 record with a 3.90 ERA this campaign.

Guardians vs. Cubs recent form and records

Although they had a troubling end to June, the Cubbies still hold the lead in the NL Central with a 50-35 record. Craig Counsell's contingent has also posted an impressive 26-15 record at home and has now grabbed the best run differential in MLB at +107.

The Guardians, on the other hand, are on a downward spiral as of late. They've won just three of their last 10 games and have lost five straight, resulting in a 40-43 record that is three games out of the wild card spots.

Guardians vs. Cubs odds

Money Line: CLE (+143), CHC (-154)

Run Spread: CLE +1.5 (-155), CHC -1.5 (+133)

Total Runs: O 8.5 (+106), U 8.5 (-124)

Guardians vs. Cubs injuries

CLE injury report

Sam Hentges (RP): 60-day IL (shoulder)
Shane Bieber (SP): 60-day IL (elbow)
Trevor Stephan (RP): 60-day IL (elbow)
Paul Sewald (RP): 15-day IL (shoulder)
Will Brennan (RF): 10-day IL (forearm)
John Means (SP): 60-day IL (elbow)
Andrew Walters (RP): 60-day IL (lat)
Gabriel Arias (SS): 10-day IL (ankle)

CHC injury report

Miguel Amaya (C): 10-day IL (oblique)
Javier Assad (SP): 60-day IL (oblique)
Eli Morgan (RP): 60-day IL (elbow)
Justin Steele (SP): 60-day IL (elbow)

Guardians vs. Cubs projected lineup

CLE projected lineup

Steven Kwan (LF)
Lane Thomas (CF)
Jose Ramirez (3B)
David Fry (DH)
Carlos Santana (1B)
Johnathan Rodriguez (RF)
Angel Martinez (2B)
Brayan Rocchio (SS)
Austin Hedges (C)
Tanner Bibee (SP, 4-8 | 3.90 ERA | 82 K)

CHC projected lineup

Ian Happ (LF)
Kyle Tucker (RF)
Seiya Suzuki (DH)
Pete Crow-Armstrong (CF)
Dansby Swanson (SS)
Michael Busch (1B)
Carson Kelly (C)
Nico Hoerner (2B)
Matt Shaw (3B)
Shota Imanaga (SP, 4-2 | 2.54 ERA | 37 K)

Guardians vs. Cubs picks and game prediction

With the difference in trajectory of the two squads, the Northsiders should comfortably take Game 2 and the series away from the free-falling Guardians.

Run Line: CHC -1.5 (+133)

Total Runs: U 8.5 (-124)

Prediction: CHC wins, 5-1

About the author

Daniel Santiago is a journalist who has been reporting on baseball at Sportskeeda since 2022. He was drawn towards the sport after the underlying statistics and the analysis surrounding it grabbed his attention.

Daniel particularly enjoys furnishing reports about historic events in baseball and analyzing the game through a statistic-based outlook, based on Fangraphs and Baseball-Reference. This is in line with how he enjoyed watching baseball as a pastime. As a writer, he is very particular about cross-checking from reputable sources and doing his due diligence.

He became a lifelong Hideki Matsui fan after his exploits in the 2009 World Series for the New York Yankees. Among the current generation, Daniel's favorites include Shohei Ohtani and Jung Hoo Lee. Daniel is a huge follower of Asian baseball and both Ohtani and Lee have been in the top echelon of their respective leagues during their time with the NPB and KBO.

His favorite moment as a baseball fan was the final at-bat of the 2023 World Baseball Classic between Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout. He believes there aren't many words to fittingly describe the intensity of the moment.

As an avid sports fan, Daniel watches other sports and Esports when not writing about baseball.

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Edited by Daniel Santiago

Guardians vs. Cubs: Game 2 prediction, odds, injuries and picks - July 2, 2025