The Cincinnati Reds will be squaring off against their divisional rival Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. The first pitch is scheduled for 2:20 p.m. ET and WGN will broadcast the action.
Cincinnati Reds at Chicago Cubs Odds
The Cubs are 75-53 straight up (SU) and 63-64 against the spread (ATS). The team’s gained 1.1 units for moneyline bettors while earning 2.0 units (ATS). The Reds have gone 56-74 SU this year and are 73-56 ATS. In total, the team’s lost 5.3 units for moneyline bettors, but have gained 4.3 units ATS.
Chicago games have a 55-69-3 over/under record in 2018. Cincinnati has been a decent over bet with a total record of 66-59-4.
Homer Bailey is getting the nod for the visiting Reds. The right-handed Bailey is 1-11 with a 6.21 ERA and 64 strikeouts. He’s 0-1 with three strikeouts and an 11.57 ERA against Chicago this year.
The Cubs are putting the ball in the right hand of Kyle Hendricks (9-10, 4.04 ERA), who has 126 strikeouts and 37 walks this season as well as a 1.24 WHIP. Hendricks is 0-1 with 11 strikeouts and a 5.91 ERA over two starts against Cincinnati this year.
Cincinnati’s pitchers have allowed 5.1 runs per game and its starters own a 5.20 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 7.55 K/9. The bullpen has logged an ERA of 4.13, along with a WHIP of 1.44.
The Reds offense has slashed .258/.335/.404 on its way to 4.5 runs scored per game this season, including 4.1 runs per game against divisional foes and 3.6 per game over the team’s last five contests (1-4 SU).
Cincinnati’s hitters have been paced by second baseman Scooter Gennett and shortstop Jose Peraza. Gennett is hitting .309/.356/.486 with 19 home runs, 75 RBIs and 74 runs scored, while Peraza is hitting .291 with eight homers, 42 RBIs, 67 runs and 20 stolen bases.
In the other dugout, Chicago’s pitchers have given up 4.0 runs per game overall in 2018. Its starters have a 4.04 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 7.6 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a 3.23 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 8.8 K/9. In 59 games against divisional foes, Cubs starters have an ERA of 3.55 and the bullpen’s ERA is 3.58.
Chicago’s hitters are putting up 4.8 runs per contest, including 4.4 per game against divisional foes and 5.8 per game over their last five. The team has hit .286/.356/.514 over its last five matchups and is 4-1 SU during that span.
The Cubs’ hitters have been led by second baseman Javier Baez and first baseman Anthony Rizzo. Baez is slashing .297/.329/.579 with 28 home runs, 97 RBIs, 79 runs and 21 stolen bases, and Rizzo’s line is .270/.368/.462 with 21 homers, 84 RBIs and 53 runs scored.
The Reds have lost 12.3 units and are 51-44 ATS when facing a righty starter this season. The over has hit in 47 of those games, compared to 45 that’ve gone under in such games. On the other hand, the Cubs have lost 4.8 units and are 47-52 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher. The over’s hit in 42 of those games, compared to 54 that’ve cashed the under.
Cincinnati Reds at Chicago Cubs MLB Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Cubs, ATS Winner – Reds, O/U – OVER
Betting Notes
- The over has cashed in only one of Chicago’s last seven games.
- The Reds have dropped five of their last six games SU.
- Chicago has posted 22.1 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 contests and 25.8 over its last five.
- The Reds have hit 12 home runs in their last 10 games. The Cubs have hit 17 over their last 10.
