The Cincinnati Reds will head west to Wrigley Field to square off against their NL Central nemesis Chicago Cubs. NBC Sports Chicago will televise the matchup and the game is scheduled to get going at 8:05 p.m. ET.
Cincinnati Reds vs. Chicago Cubs Odds
The Cubs are 72-53 straight up (SU) and 61-63 against the spread (ATS). The team’s lost 1.9 units for moneyline bettors and 3.0 units (ATS). On the other hand, the Reds have gone 56-71 SU this year and are 72-54 ATS. In total, the team’s lost 2.3 units for moneyline bettors, but have gained 5.5 units ATS.
Cubs games have an over/under record of 54-67-3 in 2018. Cincinnati has been a decent over bet with a total record of 66-56-4.
Right-hander Anthony DeSclafani is getting the nod for Cincinnati. DeSclafani is 6-3 with a 4.12 ERA and 64 strikeouts. He’s 1-0 with three strikeouts and a 2.84 ERA against Chicago this year.
The Cubs are sending lefty Cole Hamels (8-9, 4.00 ERA) to the mound. Hamels has 137 strikeouts and 48 walks to his name, as well as a 1.28 WHIP. Hamels hasn’t faced the Reds yet this year and did not record a start against them in 2017.
Cincinnati’s pitching staff allowed 5.1 runs per game and its starting pitchers own a 5.18 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 7.54 K/9. The bullpen has logged an ERA of 4.11, along with a K-per-9 of 7.81.
The Reds offense has slashed .258/.336/.405 on its way to 4.5 runs scored per game this year, including 4.1 runs per game against divisional foes and 5.8 per game over the team’s last five contests (3-2 SU).
Cincinnati’s offense has been fueled by second baseman Scooter Gennett and shortstop Jose Peraza. Gennett is slashing .310/.358/.493 with 19 home runs, 75 RBIs and 74 runs scored, while Peraza (.292/.335/.410) is up to eight homers, 42 RBIs, 67 runs and 19 stolen bases.
For the home team, Chicago’s pitching staff has allowed 4.0 runs per game overall in 2018. Its starters have an ERA of 4.10, a WHIP of 1.37 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 7.6. The bullpen has a solid ERA of just 3.19, a WHIP of 1.28 and a K/9 of 8.8. In 56 games against divisional foes, Cubs starters have an ERA of 3.66 and the bullpen’s ERA is 3.50.
The Chicago offense is putting up 4.8 runs per contest, including 4.3 per game against divisional foes and 2.4 per game over its last five. The team has slashed .220/.289/.373 over its last five contests and is 2-3 SU during that stretch.
The Cubs’ batters have been led by second baseman Javier Baez and first baseman Anthony Rizzo. Baez is slashing .292/.322/.566 with 26 home runs, 92 RBIs, 75 runs and 20 stolen bases, while Rizzo’s line is .267/.364/.453 with 20 homers, 80 RBIs and 51 runs.
The Reds have gained 8.0 units and are 22-11 ATS when facing a lefty starter this season. The over has cashed in 19 of those games, compared to 13 that’ve gone under against left-handed starting pitchers. On the other hand, the Cubs have lost 6.8 units and are 46-51 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher. The over’s hit in 42 of those games, as opposed to 52 which went under the total.
Cincinnati Reds vs. Chicago Cubs Free Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Cubs, ATS Winner – Reds, O/U – OVER
