The Cincinnati Reds are set to do battle against the Chicago Cubs at Great American Ball Park. NBC Sports Chicago will broadcast the matchup and the game is scheduled to get going at 1:10 p.m. ET.
Chicago Cubs at Cincinnati Reds Odds
Chicago (receiving +120) is entering this one as the underdog against Cincinnati (-130) and Vegas has put the Over/Under for this afternoon’s game at 9 runs. Odds for wagering on the game’s total now sit at +100 for the over and -120 for the under. You can also bet on the game’s runline with the most recent odds coming in at Cubs +1.5 runs (-175) and Reds -1.5 runs (+155).
The Cubs have gone 63-54 SU this year and are 56-60 against the spread (ATS). They’ve lost 2.1 units for moneyline gamblers and 1.6 units ATS. Chicago has covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the over has hit in four of those seven. The Reds, on the other hand, are 56-59 SU and 66-48 ATS. They’ve lost 0.5 units for bettors taking the moneyline while earning 9.7 units ATS. Cincinnati has covered the spread six times in its last seven games and the total has gone over in five of those seven.
Reds games have an over/under record of 44-66-4 in 2019. The Cubs have an over/under record of 54-54-8.
Left-hander Jon Lester will get the start for the visiting Cubbies. Lester is 9-8 with a 4.39 ERA and 122 strikeouts. He’s 0-1 with eight strikeouts and a 4.76 ERA against Cincinnati this year.
The Reds are putting the ball in the hands of righty Luis Castillo (11-4, 2.63 ERA), who has 164 strikeouts and 60 walks, along with a 1.10 WHIP. Castillo is 2-1 with 22 strikeouts and a 2.95 ERA across three starts against Chicago this year.
Cincinnati’s pitching staff has given up 4.2 runs per game overall in 2019 as a unit. Its starters have an ERA of 3.82, a WHIP of 1.25 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 9.8. The bullpen has a 4.40 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 9.7 K/9. In 55 divisional games, Reds starters have an ERA of 3.86 and the bullpen’s ERA is 5.16.
Cincinnati’s offense is putting up 4.6 runs per outing, including 5.0 per game against divisional foes and 7.0 per game over its last five. The team’s hit .322/.372/.649 over its last five games and is 4-1 SU during that stretch.
Third baseman Eugenio Suarez and first baseman Joey Votto have led the way for the Reds’ batters this year. Suarez is hitting .257/.339/.533 with 32 home runs, 74 RBIs and 63 runs scored, while Votto is hitting .256 with 12 homers, 37 RBIs and 59 runs.
In the visiting dugout, Chicago’s pitchers have allowed 4.4 runs per game and its starting pitchers own a 4.06 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 8.71 K/9. The bullpen has managed an ERA of 4.05, along with a K/9 of 8.78.
Cubs hitters have slashed .255/.336/.453 on their way to 5.0 runs scored per game in 2019, including 4.9 runs per game against divisional foes and 5.8 per game over the team’s last five outings (2-3 SU).
Chicago’s offense has been led by shortstop Javier Baez and third baseman Kris Bryant, who’ve collectively launched 50 home runs. Baez is slashing .290/.321/.554 with 28 home runs, 79 RBIs and 82 runs scored. Bryant (.291/.391/.526) is up to 22 homers, 55 RBIs and 85 runs scored.
The Cubs have gained 3.3 units and are 46-45 ATS when facing a righty starter this season. The over has hit in 43 of those games, compared to 42 that’ve gone under in such games. On the other hand, the Reds have lost 0.8 units and are 17-10 ATS when facing a left-handed starting pitcher. The over’s hit in 11 of those games, as opposed to 15 which went under the total.
Cubs vs. Reds MLB Tip
Predictions: SU Winner – Reds, ATS Winner – Cubs, O/U – OVER
Betting Trends
- The over has hit in five of Cincinnati’s last seven games.
- The Cubs have hit 18 home runs in their last 10 games. The Reds have hit 20 over their last 10.
- The Cubs have an OPS of .789 this season and an OPS of .808 against right-handed pitchers. The Reds’ OPS stands at .751 overall and .739 against righties.
- Cincinnati has recorded 24.7 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 contests and 29.4 over its last five.
- The Reds have won five of their last six games SU.
