The Chicago Cubs are ready to face their NL Central foe Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. The matchup will get underway at 1:10 p.m. ET and fans can tune in to NBC Sports Chicago to catch the action.
Chicago Cubs vs. Cincinnati Reds Odds
The Cubs have gone 42-32 SU this year and are 37-36 against the spread (ATS). They’ve lost 3.5 units for moneyline bettors, despite having gained 2.0 units ATS. The Reds, on the other hand, are 31-45 SU and 42-33 ATS. They’ve lost 8.7 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 1.1 units ATS.
Cincinnati games have a 35-38-2 over/under record so far in 2018. Chicago has been a good under bet with a total record of 29-43-1.
Tyler Chatwood will get the start for the visiting Cubs. The right-handed Chatwood is 3-5 with a 3.95 ERA and 64 strikeouts. He’s 0-1 with four strikeouts and a 1.50 ERA against Cincinnati this year.
The Reds will be sending righty Sal Romano (4-7, 5.17 ERA) to the mound. Romano has 56 strikeouts and 35 walks to his name, as well as a WHIP of 1.45. Romano is 0-1 with six strikeouts and a 12.60 ERA in one start against Chicago this year.
Chicago’s pitching staff allowed 3.6 runs per game and its starters own a 3.53 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 7.92 K/9. The bullpen has managed a solid ERA of just 3.01, along with a WHIP of 1.29 and a K/9 of 9.15.
The Cubs offense has slashed .257/.341/.414 on its way to 4.8 runs scored per game this season, including 4.3 runs per game against divisional foes and 2.6 per game over the teams last five outings (2-3 SU).
Chicago’s offense has been led by third baseman Kris Bryant and second baseman Javier Baez, who have combined to launch 23 home runs. Bryant is slashing .280/.383/.481 with nine home runs, 36 RBIs and 40 runs scored, while Baez (.265/.308/.527) is up to 14 homers, 49 RBIs, 42 runs and 13 stolen bases.
In the home-team dugout, Cincinnati’s pitchers have allowed 5.0 runs per game overall this year. The clubs starters have an ERA of 5.30, a WHIP of 1.47 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 7.3. The bullpen has a 4.01 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 8.1 K/9. In 34 games against divisional opponents, Reds starters have an ERA of 5.67 and the bullpens ERA is 4.02.
Cincinnati’s offense is putting up 4.4 runs per outing, including 3.7 per game against divisional foes and 7.4 per game over its last five. The team has slashed .317/.415/.557 over its last five games and is 5-0 SU during that stretch.
Second baseman Scooter Gennett and first baseman Joey Votto have paced the Reds batters this year. Gennett is hitting .332/.367/.534 with 13 home runs, 51 RBIs and 39 runs scored, and Votto’s line is .299/.427/.459 with eight homers, 40 RBIs and 41 runs scored.
The Cubs have lost 7.1 units and are 29-29 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher this season. The over has cashed in 23 of those games, as opposed to 34 that’ve gone under against righties. On the other hand, the Reds have lost 9.8 units and are 30-24 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher. The overs hit in 22 of those games, as opposed to 31 which went under the total.
Chicago Cubs vs. Cincinnati Reds Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Reds, ATS Winner – Cubs, O/U – UNDER
Betting Trends
- The over has cashed in just two of Chicago’s last seven games.
- Chicago has recorded 19.5 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 outings and 17.8 over its last five.
- The Cubs have hit 10 home runs in their last 10 games. The Reds have hit 16 over their last 10.
