Chicago Cubs (3-4) vs. Cleveland Guardians (5-3) April 5, 2026 1:10 pm EDT The Line: Cleveland Guardians 113 / Chicago Cubs -136; Over/Under: 7.5 (Get latest betting odds)
In this article, we will formulate a Cubs vs Guardians Game 1 Prediction for this MLB matchup on Sunday, April 5 th in the second game of this series and the first of today’s double-header. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup.
The Guardians have a 5-3 record this season and are sitting in the first place of the AL Central. They have a 1-0 home record and are coming off a 4-1 home win over the Cubs. Their previous three games were a 4-1 road win, a 1-4 road loss and a 4-2 road win to the Dodgers.
The Guardians have a .203 batting average this season, .287 OBP and .348 Slugging percentage. Cleveland’s pitching staff has a 3.60 ERA and 1.21 WHIP. Chase DeLauter is the team’s best hitter with a .346 batting average, also leading the team in RBI with 8 and adding a team-high 5 home runs.
Slade Cecconi (R) is the projected starting pitcher for the Guardians, and he has a 0-1 record, 12.46 ERA and 2.08 WHIP.
The Cubs have a 3-4 record this season and are sitting in the last place of the NL Central. They have a 0-1 road record and are coming off a 1-4 road loss to the Guardians. Their previous three games were a 6-2 home win, a 0-2 home loss and a 7-2 home win over the Angels.
Chicago has a .222 batting average this season, .315 OBP and .342 Slugging percentage. Chicago’s pitching staff has a 3.63 ERA and 1.16 WHIP. Nico Hoerner is the team’s best hitter with a .292 batting average. Ian Happ leads the team in RBI with 5, also adding a team-high 3 home runs.
Edward Cabrera (R) is the projected starting pitcher for the Cubs, and he has a 1-0 record, 0.00 ERA and 0.33 WHIP.
The Cubs are 3-1 in their last 4 head-to-head matches against the Guardians but the Guardians have won their last four head-to-head home matches.
In this Cubs vs Guardians Prediction, the Cubs are coming as -127 road favorites. Cleveland won the opening game of this series but they have a major pitching disadvantage today, as Slade Cecconi goes up against Edward Cabrera. Cecconi looked terrible in his first start of the season while Cabrera is coming off a shutout. On top of that, the Cubs have the better offense and they in a bounce-back spot. Take the Cubs on the moneyline in Game 1 of this double-header.