The ice-cold Cincinnati Reds will try to stave off their fifth straight loss as they play host to the Chicago Cubs at Great American Ball Park. WGN will broadcast the matchup and the opening pitch will be at 7:10 p.m. ET.
Chicago Cubs at Cincinnati Reds Odds
Oddsmakers are listing Cincinnati (+100) as the underdog to Chicago (-110). Bettors can wager on the game’s total with odds sitting at -115 for over nine runs and -105 for under nine. Bettors can also wager on the game’s runline with the most recent odds standing at +135 for the Cubs -1.5 runs and -155 for the Reds +1.5.
The Cubs have gone 44-37 SU this year and are 40-40 against the spread (ATS). They’ve lost 2.3 units for moneyline gamblers and 0.3 units ATS. Chicago has covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the under has hit in three of those seven. The Reds, on the other hand, are 36-42 SU and 43-35 ATS. They’ve lost 3.1 units for bettors taking the moneyline while earning 1.4 units ATS. Cincinnati has covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the total has gone under in four of those seven.
Cincinnati games have a 27-49-2 over/under record so far in 2019. Chicago has an over/under record of 40-35-5.
Cole Hamels is getting the start for Chicago. The left-handed Hamels (6-2, 2.92 ERA) has racked up 96 punchouts in 98.2 innings so far. He has yet to face Cincinnati this year, but he made two starts against the Reds in 2018, putting together a 1-0 record against them with a 1.72 ERA and 14 strikeouts.
The Reds will be sending righty Sonny Gray (3-5, 4.03 ERA) to the mound. Gray has 85 strikeouts and 31 walks to his credit, along with a WHIP of 1.28. Gray is 0-0 with seven strikeouts and a 5.40 ERA in one start against Chicago this year.
Cincinnati’s pitching staff has allowed 3.8 runs per game overall this year as a unit. Its starters have an ERA of 3.77, a WHIP of 1.26 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 9.7. The bullpen has a 3.47 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 9.7 K/9. In 32 divisional games, Reds starters have an ERA of 4.30 and the bullpen’s ERA is 4.11.
Cincinnati’s offense is putting up 4.3 runs per outing, including 4.8 per game against divisional foes and 4.6 per game over its last five. The team has a slash-line of .228/.306/.407 over its last five games and is 1-4 SU during that span.
Shortstop Jose Iglesias and third baseman Eugenio Suarez have led the Reds’ hitters this year. Iglesias is slashing .297/.335/.419 with five home runs, 30 RBIs and 31 runs scored, and Suarez is hitting .244 with 16 homers, 45 RBIs and 37 runs.
For the visitors, Chicago’s pitchers have allowed 4.3 runs per game and its starting pitchers own a 3.94 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 8.49 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 3.87, along with a WHIP of 1.27.
The Cubs offense has slashed .253/.338/.448 on its way to 5.1 runs scored per game in 2019, including 4.9 runs per game against divisional foes and 5.4 per game over the team’s last five contests (3-2 SU).
Shortstop Javier Baez and third baseman Kris Bryant continue to lead Chicago’s hitters. Baez is slashing .286/.325/.547 with 19 home runs, 52 RBIs and 53 runs scored, while Bryant (.283/.391/.531) is up to 16 homers, 41 RBIs and 61 runs scored.
The Cubs have gained 1.9 units and are 33-30 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher this year. The over has cashed in 32 of those games, compared to 28 that’ve gone under against righty starters. On the other hand, the Reds have lost 0.8 units and are 12-7 ATS when facing a lefty starter. The over’s hit in six of those games, compared to 13 that went under the total.
Cubs at Reds Free MLB Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Reds, ATS Winner – Reds, O/U – OVER
Betting Notes
- The over has cashed in three of Chicago’s last seven games.
- The Cubs have hit 13 home runs in their last 10 games, including seven over their last five.
- The Cubs have an OPS of .786 this season and an OPS of .803 against right-handed pitchers. The Reds’ OPS stands at .717 overall and .698 against righties.
- Cincinnati has recorded 22.1 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 outings and 19.8 over its last five.
