The Chicago Cubs will head east to play their divisional rival Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. The matchup will begin at 4:10 p.m. ET and NBC Sports Chicago will showcase the game.
Chicago Cubs vs. Cincinnati Reds Odds
Vegas has listed Chicago (+100) as the underdog to Cincinnati (-120). The total sits at 9.5 runs and bettors can wager on the over for +100 and the under for -120. Bettors can also wager on the game’s spread with the most recent runline odds standing at Cubs -1.5 runs (-145) and Reds +1.5 runs (+135).
The Reds are 0-3 SU and 0-2 ATS. They’ve lost 2.0 units for moneyline bettors and 2.3 units against the spread (ATS). The Cubs are 2-2 SU and have gone 2-1 ATS. In total, the team’s accumulated 0.0 units for moneyline gamblers this year and 0.6 units ATS.
Reds games have a one-1 over/under record in 2018. Chicago has an over/under record of two-1.
The Cubs just lost a 6-0 game to the Marlins, while the Reds are coming off of a 6-5 loss against the Nationals.
Tyler Chatwood will get the nod for Chicago. The right-handed Chatwood started 25 games last year and finished the season 8-15 overall with a 4.69 ERA and a 1.44 WHIP.
The Reds are rolling with righty Tyler Mahle as their starter. Mahle started 4 games last year and finished the season 1-2 overall with a 2.70 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP.
Cincinnati’s pitchers have allowed 7.0 runs per game overall in 2018 as a unit. Its starters have a 5.29 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 5.8 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a 9.90 ERA, 2.00 WHIP and 8.1 K/9. In zero divisional games, Reds starters have an ERA of and the bullpen’s ERA is .
The Cincinnati offense is putting up 4.0 runs per outing, including per game against divisional foes and 4.0 per game over its last five. The team has a slash-line of .248/.307/.410 over its last five games and is 0-3 SU during that stretch.
Second baseman Scooter Gennett and right fielder Scott Schebler have led the Reds’ hitters this year. Gennett is slashing .538/.538/.692 with seven hits and one RBI, while Schebler’s line is .333/.385/.667 with four hits, one RBI and three runs.
Compared to his total season slash line of .233/.307/.484, Schebler did not seem to enjoy hitting at home last season, slashing .198/.298/.387 across 258 plate appearances.
In the visiting dugout, Chicago’s pitching staff allowed 4.5 runs per game and its starters own a 6.86 ERA, 1.73 WHIP and 5.95 K/9. The bullpen has an excellent ERA of just 0.75, along with a WHIP of 1.73.
Cubs hitters have slashed .225/.321/.385 on their way to 4.8 runs scored per game in 2018, including runs per game against divisional foes and 4.8 per game over the team’s last five outings (2-2 SU).
Third baseman Bryant Bryant and left fielder Kyle Schwarber have led Chicago’s offense. Bryant is slashing .389/.522/.722 with seven hits, four RBIs and four runs scored, while Schwarber (.333/.375/.867) is up to five hits, two homers, three RBIs and three runs scored.
Compared to his total season slash line of .210/.314/.466, Schwarber didn’t do as well hitting against righty pitching on the road last season, maintaining a slash line of just .160/.269/.370 across 186 such plate appearances.
Chicago Cubs vs. Cincinnati Reds Free Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Cubs, ATS Winner – Cubs, O/U – OVER
Betting Notes
- The Cubs went 12-7 SU against the Reds last season.
- The Cubs’ bullpen posted an ERA of 5.11 against the Reds last year.
