The Chicago Cubs are seeking their fourth straight win as they play host to the Cincinnati Reds at Wrigley Field. The game will start at 2:20 p.m. ET and the action will be shown on either WLS or FSOH.
Cincinnati Reds vs. Chicago Cubs Odds
The Reds are 56-73 SU and are 72-56 against the spread (ATS). They’ve lost 4.3 units for gamblers taking the moneyline, despite having gained 3.3 units ATS. Cincinnati is 3-4 ATS over its last seven games and the total has gone under in five of those seven. The Cubs, on the other hand, are 74-53 SU and 63-63 ATS. They’ve gained 0.1 units for moneyline bettors while earning 1.0 unit ATS. Chicago has a 3-4 ATS record over its last seven games and the total has gone under in six of those seven.
Cubs games have had an over/under record of 55-68-3 in 2018. Cincinnati has been a decent over bet with a total record of 66-58-4.
Luis Castillo is getting the nod for Cincinnati. The right-handed Castillo is 7-10 with a 4.86 ERA and 129 strikeouts. He’s 1-0 with 12 strikeouts and a 4.30 ERA against Chicago this year (three starts).
The Cubs are sending lefty Jose Quintana (10-9, 4.36 ERA) to the mound. Quintana has 114 punchouts and 57 walks to his name, as well as a 1.37 WHIP. Quintana is 1-1 with 10 strikeouts and a 3.00 ERA over two starts against Cincinnati this year.
Chicago’s pitchers have allowed 4.0 runs per game overall this year as a unit. The team’s starting pitching staff has an ERA of 4.04, a WHIP of 1.37 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 7.6. The bullpen has a solid ERA of just 3.18, a WHIP of 1.28 and a K/9 of 8.8. In 58 divisional games, Cubs starters have an ERA of 3.55 and the bullpen’s ERA is 3.47.
The Chicago hitters have produced 4.8 runs per outing, including 4.3 per game against divisional foes and 4.0 per game over their last five. The team’s hit .263/.338/.457 over its last five contests and is 3-2 SU during that span.
Second baseman Javier Baez and first baseman Anthony Rizzo have led the Cubs’ hitters this year. Baez is slashing .295/.327/.573 with 27 home runs, 94 RBIs, 78 runs and 21 steals, and Rizzo is hitting .268 with 21 homers, 83 RBIs and 53 runs.
In the visiting dugout, Cincinnati’s pitchers have allowed 5.1 runs per game and its starters own a 5.16 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 7.56 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 4.14, along with a K-per-9 of 7.84.
Reds hitters have slashed .257/.335/.403 on their way to 4.5 runs scored per game in 2018, including 4.0 runs per game against divisional foes and 2.8 per game over the team’s last five outings (1-4 SU).
Second baseman Scooter Gennett and shortstop Jose Peraza continue to lead Cincinnati’s offense. Gennett is hitting .310/.358/.489 with 19 home runs, 75 RBIs and 74 runs scored. Peraza (.291/.333/.407) has produced eight homers, 42 RBIs, 67 runs and 20 stolen bases.
The Reds have gained 7.0 units and are 22-12 ATS when facing a lefty starter this season. The over has hit in 19 of those games, compared to 14 that’ve gone under against left-handed starting pitchers. On the other hand, the Cubs have lost 5.8 units and are 47-51 ATS when facing a righty starter. The over’s hit in 42 of those games, compared to 53 that went under the total.
Cincinnati Reds at Chicago Cubs Free Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Cubs, ATS Winner – Reds, O/U – OVER
Betting Trends
- Cincinnati has tallied 12 extra-base hits over its last five contests. Chicago has 16 XBH over its last five.
- The Reds have hit 10 home runs in their last 10 games. The Cubs have hit 14 over their last 10.
- Cincinnati has posted 21.4 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 outings and 16.4 over its last five.
- The Reds have lost four of their last five games SU.
