The Cincinnati Reds are prepared to battle against the Chicago Cubs at Great American Ball Park. The game gets underway 7:10 p.m. ET and NBC Sports Chicago will televise the action.
Chicago Cubs vs. Cincinnati Reds Odds
Vegas is listing Cincinnati (-120) as the favorite over Chicago (+110). If you think the game’s total will go under 9.5 runs, bookmakers are currently offering -130 odds. Taking the over will return +110 odds. Bettors can also wager on the game’s runline with the current odds sitting at Cubs +1.5 runs (-190) and Reds -1.5 runs (+165).
The Reds are 65-47 against the spread (ATS), but just 54-59 straight up (SU). The team has lost 0.6 units for bettors taking the moneyline while gaining 10.1 units ATS. Cincinnati has covered the spread six times in its last seven games and the total has gone over in four of those seven. The Cubs, on the other hand, have gone 63-52 SU this year and are 55-59 ATS. In total, the team’s lost 1.9 units for moneyline bettors and 1.9 units ATS. Chicago’s covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the over has cashed in three of those seven.
Cincinnati games have a 43-65-4 over/under record in 2019. The Cubs have an over/under record of 53-53-8.
Right-hander Yu Darvish will get the start for Chicago. Darvish (4-5, 4.36 ERA) has racked up 149 strikeouts in 126 innings so far. He’s 1-0 with 23 strikeouts and a 3.93 ERA against Cincinnati this year (three starts).
The Reds are putting the ball in the hands of righty Trevor Bauer (9-8, 3.85 ERA), who has 189 punchouts and 66 walks, along with a WHIP of 1.24. Bauer hasn’t faced the Cubs yet this year, but he made two starts against them in 2018, compiling a spotless 2-0 record with a 0.71 ERA and 14 strikeouts.
As a unit, Cincinnati’s pitchers have allowed 4.3 runs per game overall this year. Its starting pitching staff has a 3.89 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 9.7 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a 4.41 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 9.7 K/9. In 53 games against NL Central foes, Reds starters have an ERA of 4.01 and the bullpen’s ERA is 5.20.
The Cincinnati hitters are putting up 4.5 runs per outing, including 4.9 per game against divisional foes and 6.0 per game over their last five. The team’s hit .276/.360/.454 over its last five matchups and is 3-2 SU during that span.
Third baseman Eugenio Suarez and first baseman Joey Votto have led the Reds’ batters this year. Suarez is slashing .257/.340/.523 with 30 home runs, 72 RBIs and 61 runs scored, and Votto is hitting .256 with 11 homers, 36 RBIs and 57 runs.
In the visiting dugout, Chicago’s pitchers have allowed 4.3 runs per game and its starters own a 3.96 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 8.67 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 4.04, along with a WHIP of 1.26.
The Cubs offense has slashed .256/.337/.455 on its way to 5.1 runs scored per game in 2019, including 5.0 runs per game against divisional foes and 7.8 per game over the team’s last five outings (4-1 SU).
Chicago’s hitters have been led by shortstop Javier Baez and third baseman Kris Bryant, who’ve collectively belted 50 home runs. Baez is slashing .293/.325/.561 with 28 home runs, 79 RBIs and 82 runs scored, while Bryant is slashing .291/.390/.529 with 22 homers, 55 RBIs and 85 runs scored.
The Cubs have gained 4.5 units and are 46-44 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher this season. The over has hit in 43 of those games, as opposed to 41 that’ve gone under in such games. On the other hand, the Reds have lost 0.8 units and are 48-38 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher. The over’s hit in 33 of those games, compared to 50 which went under the total.
Cubs at Reds Free Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Reds, ATS Winner – Cubs, O/U – OVER
Betting Notes
- Chicago has logged 24 extra-base hits over its last five games. Cincinnati has 15 XBH over its last five.
- The Cubs have hit 16 home runs in their last 10 games, including 13 over their last five.
- The Cubs have a team OPS of .792 this season and an OPS of .811 against right-handed pitchers. The Reds’ OPS sits at .743 overall and .727 against righties.
- Cincinnati has posted 24.1 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 outings and 25.2 over its last five.
- The Cubs have won six of their last seven games SU.
