Cubs vs. Twins: Michael Busch is dialed in and heading into a dream matchup in Minnesota. The numbers back it. The trends demand attention.
For additional information on picks, props, moneylines, and more on today’s slate, take a look at our MLB Picks Page or our MLB Odds Page, here.
Write Up Transparency
Be sure to follow me on X/Twitter @ColbyMBets to get my full card every day! Picks are always FREE.
Last Month: 58-140 (-22.95u)
Last Week: 6-26 (-10.17u)
I am colder than your father’s beer fridge. Full fade.
Cubs vs. Twins Best Bets – July 8

Can Michael Busch keep his hot bat alive in Minnesota?
Check out BetOnline’s New No Strings Welcome Offer that gives new MLB players up to $250 in Free Bets and 100 Free Casino Spins with their first deposit. Find out more about this Promotion as well as lots of other Free Sportsbook Promos right here!
After a fiery series against the Cardinals, can Michael Busch keep it rolling in Minnesota? I think he can. I absolutely love his matchup today against Simeon Woods Richardson, who holds the second-worst pitcher rating on Batters-Box’s current season rankings. He grades poorly in matchup wOBA, ISO, strikeout percentage, and ground ball percentage.
Trust the MLB Trends
Left-handed hitters have been feasting on the Twins starter, batting over .300 with a .477 slugging percentage and .848 OPS. On the road against right-handed pitching, Busch owns a .328 average, .672 slugging percentage, 1.065 OPS, and a 195 wRC+.
Woods Richardson leans heavily on his fastball and slider—roughly 75% of his pitch mix. Busch is one of the best hitters on the Cubs roster against those pitches, with an OPS above .741 and a wRC+ of 127 or better. According to Baseball Savant, he ranks as the No. 1 hitter in baseball against the slider, with a run value of +5. Against the remaining 25%—his changeup and curveball—Busch is batting above .318, with an OPS over 1.102 and a wRC+ north of 212.
This season, the Cubs first baseman has played in 17 elite-rated games. In those games, he has recorded a hit nearly 90% of the time, two hits in 41%, gone over this prop in 64%, and hit a home run in 35%. It is not an overwhelming sample, but it is strong enough to trust.
Sure, Busch is coming off a hot weekend, but the numbers and trends are too good to pass up in my opinion.
Best Bet: Michael Busch Over 1.5 Total Bases (+125) odds via BetOnline
Interested in More Content?
Get FREE Picks and Props Weekly
Sign up for
THE WEEKENDER NEWSLETTER
Follow me on X @ColbyMBets for all my picks and sports opinions. Follow Betting News on ‘X’ and Twitch and catch us on stream! Betting News is also on TikTok! Follow us for more picks and news every day!
In need of a sportsbook? Check out one of our favorites below among our best online sportsbooks and sign-up for a bonus!
Check Out All of Our Betting Resources at Betting News
- Picks & Odds for the NFL
- NFL Betting Guide for Beginners
- Pick & Odds for NCAAF
- NCAAF Betting Guide for Beginners
- Picks & Odds in the MLB
- MLB Betting Guide for Beginners
- Picks & Odds in the NBA
- NBA Betting Guide for Beginners
- Picks & Odds in the NHL
- NHL Betting Guide for Beginners
More Betting Stories