Cincinnati Reds vs. Chicago Cubs Betting Preview

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The Cincinnati Reds will face their division rival Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. The opening pitch is scheduled for 2:20 p.m. ET and NBC Sports Chicago will broadcast the matchup.

Cincinnati Reds vs. Chicago Cubs Odds

The Reds are 39-49 SU and are 51-36 against the spread (ATS). They’ve lost 5.1 units for moneyline bettors, despite having gained 5.0 units ATS. The Cubs, on the other hand, are 49-36 SU and 44-40 ATS. The team has gained 0.1 units for moneyline bettors and 5.3 units ATS.

Chicago games have an over/under record of 37-46-1 so far in 2018. The Reds have an over/under record of 43-40-4.

The right-handed Matt Harvey is the probable starter for the visiting Reds. Harvey (4-5, 4.91 ERA) has racked up 60 strikeouts in 80.2 innings so far. He’s 1-0 with six strikeouts and a 3.00 ERA against Chicago this year.

The Cubs will put the ball in the right hand of Tyler Chatwood (3-5, 4.54 ERA), who has 70 strikeouts and 66 walks as well as a 1.75 WHIP. Chatwood is 0-1 with four strikeouts and a 1.50 ERA in one start against Cincinnati this year.

Chicago’s pitching staff has allowed 3.9 runs per game overall this year as a unit. The teams starters have a 3.83 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 7.8 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has recorded a solid ERA of just 3.15, a WHIP of 1.29 and a K/9 of 9.0. In 38 games against divisional opponents, Cubs starters have an ERA of 2.92 and the bullpens ERA is 3.71.

The Chicago hitters are putting up 5.1 runs per contest, including 4.2 per game against divisional foes and 7.4 per game over their last five. The team has a slash-line of .349/.434/.529 over its last five matchups and is 4-1 SU during that stretch.

Second baseman Javier Baez and outfielder Albert Almora Jr. have led the Cubs hitters this year. Baez is hitting .285/.320/.551 with 16 home runs, 61 RBIs, 55 runs and 15 stolen bases, while Almora Jr.s line is .328/.369/.458 with four homers, 28 RBIs and 46 runs scored.

In the other dugout, Cincinnati’s pitchers have allowed 5.0 runs per game and its starting pitchers own a 5.14 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 7.54 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 3.90, along with a K-per-9 of 8.13.

Reds hitters have slashed .257/.339/.400 on their way to 4.7 runs scored per game this season, including 4.1 runs per game against divisional foes and 6.2 per game over the teams last five outings (4-1 SU).

Cincinnati’s hitters have been led by second baseman Scooter Gennett and shortstop Jose Peraza. Gennett is slashing .328/.369/.522 with 14 home runs, 58 RBIs and 52 runs scored, while Peraza (.277/.323/.381) is up to five homers, 29 RBIs, 49 runs and 15 stolen bases.

The Reds have lost 8.8 units and are 37-27 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher this season. The over has hit in 28 of those games, as opposed to 33 that’ve gone under against righties. On the other hand, the Cubs have lost 6.2 units and are 33-32 ATS when facing a righty starter. The over has cashed in 28 of those games, compared to 36 that went under.

Cincinnati Reds at Chicago Cubs MLB Prediction

Predictions: SU Winner – Cubs, ATS Winner – Reds, O/U – OVER

Betting Trends

  • The under has cashed in just one of Cincinnati’s last seven games.
  • The Reds have won five of their last six games SU.
  • Chicago has posted 31.1 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 outings and 31.4 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.