The Cincinnati Reds will take on their division rival Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. The game gets underway 2:20 p.m. ET and NBC Sports Chicago will televise the matchup.
Cincinnati Reds vs. Chicago Cubs Odds
The Cubs are 73-53 straight up (SU) and 62-63 against the spread (ATS). They’ve lost 0.8 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 2.0 units (ATS). Chicago has a 3-4 ATS mark over its last seven games and the total has gone under in five of those seven. The Reds, on the other hand, have gone 56-72 SU this year and are 72-55 ATS. Overall, the team’s lost 3.3 units for bettors taking the moneyline, but have gained 4.5 units ATS. Cincinnati has covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the total has gone under in five of those seven.
Cubs games have an over/under record of 55-67-3 in 2018. Cincinnati has been a decent over bet with a total record of 66-57-4.
The right-handed Matt Harvey is projected to start for the visiting Reds. Harvey is 6-7 with a 4.91 ERA and 89 strikeouts. He’s 1-0 with 10 strikeouts and a 3.09 ERA against Chicago this year (two starts).
The Cubs are going with righty Alec Mills (0-0, 0.00 ERA), who has two strikeouts and zero walks, as well as a WHIP of 0.00. Mills hasn’t faced the Reds yet this year and did not record any MLB pitching stats last season.
As a unit, Chicago’s pitchers have given up 4.0 runs per game overall in 2018. Its starters have a 4.06 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 7.6 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has recorded a solid ERA of just 3.19, a WHIP of 1.28 and a K/9 of 8.8. In 57 games against NL Central opponents, Cubs starters have an ERA of 3.59 and the bullpen’s ERA is 3.50.
The Chicago offense has produced 4.8 runs per outing, including 4.3 per game against divisional foes and 3.6 per game over its last five. The team’s hit .254/.320/.429 over its last five contests and is 2-3 SU during that stretch.
The Cubs’ offense has been led by second baseman Javier Baez and first baseman Anthony Rizzo. Baez is hitting .295/.325/.575 with 27 home runs, 93 RBIs, 78 runs and 21 steals, and Rizzo’s line is .270/.367/.462 with 21 homers, 83 RBIs and 53 runs.
For the visitors, Cincinnati’s pitchers have allowed 5.1 runs per game and its starters own a 5.18 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 7.54 K/9. The bullpen has logged an ERA of 4.13, along with a WHIP of 1.44.
Reds hitters have slashed .258/.336/.405 on their way to 4.5 runs scored per game this season, including 4.1 runs per game against divisional foes and 4.6 per game over the team’s last five contests (2-3 SU).
Second baseman Scooter Gennett and shortstop Jose Peraza have paced Cincinnati’s hitters. Gennett is hitting .311/.359/.491 with 19 home runs, 75 RBIs and 74 runs scored, while Peraza (.294/.336/.410) has produced eight homers, 42 RBIs, 67 runs and 20 stolen bases.
The Reds have lost 11.3 units and are 50-44 ATS when facing a righty starter this season. The over has hit in 47 of those games, compared to 44 that’ve gone under against right-handed starting pitchers. On the other hand, the Cubs have lost 6.8 units and are 46-51 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher. The over has hit in 42 of those games, as opposed to 52 which went under the total.
Cincinnati Reds vs. Chicago Cubs Free Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Cubs, ATS Winner – Reds, O/U – OVER
