Chicago Cubs at Cincinnati Reds Free Preview

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The Chicago Cubs will be taking on their division rival Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. WGN will showcase the matchup and the opening pitch is scheduled for 6:40 p.m. ET.

Chicago Cubs vs. Cincinnati Reds Odds

Vegas has listed Cincinnati (+100) as the underdog to Chicago (-120). The total sits at 8.5 runs and bettors can wager on the over for -105 and the under for -115. Bettors can also wager on the game’s spread with the current runline odds standing at -175 for the Cubs -1.5 runs and +165 for the Reds +1.5 runs.

The Cubs are 2-3 SU and have gone 2-2 against the spread (ATS). They’ve lost 2.0 units for moneyline gamblers this year and 0.8 units ATS. The Reds are 1-3 SU and 1-2 ATS. The team’s lost 3.0 units for moneyline bettors and 1.3 units ATS.

Cincinnati games have an over/under record of 2-1 in 2018. Chicago has an over/under record of 2-2.

The Cubs have lost 4.0 units and are 0-2 ATS when facing a lefty starter this season. The over has cashed in zero of those games, compared to two that’ve gone under against left-handed starting pitchers. On the other hand, the Reds have lost 1.0 units and are 1-0 ATS when facing a left-handed starting pitcher.

Jon Lester (0-0, 3.00 ERA) will get the nod for the visiting Cubs. The left-handed Lester recorded 180 strikeouts across 180 innings last year (with 60 walks) while finishing the season 13-8 overall with a 4.33 ERA and a 1.32 WHIP.

The Reds are turning to lefty Cody Reed (0-0, 3.00 ERA), who recorded 17 strikeouts in 17 innings last year with 19 walks, while finishing the season 1-1 overall with a 5.09 ERA and a 1.70 WHIP.

Cincinnati’s pitching staff has allowed 5.3 runs per game overall in 2018 as a unit. The team’s starters have a 3.91 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 7.0 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a 7.62 ERA, 1.85 WHIP and 9.0 K/9. In one games against NL Central foes, Reds starters have an ERA of 0.00 and the bullpen’s ERA is 0.00.

Cincinnati’s offense has put up 3.3 runs per outing so far this season and the team’s hit .233/.311/.383 to begin the year.

The Reds’ offense has been led by second baseman Scooter Gennett and outfielder Scott Schebler. Gennett is hitting .471/.471/.588 with eight hits and one RBI, while Schebler’s line is .333/.385/.667 with four hits, one RBI and three runs.

Compared to his overall season slash line of .295/.342/.531, Gennett seemed to take a step back when hitting lefties in 2017, slashing .248/.287/.404 over 115 plate appearances.

For the visitors, Chicago’s pitching staff allowed 3.8 runs per game and its starters own a 5.61 ERA, 1.71 WHIP and 5.96 K/9. The bullpen has an outstanding ERA of just 0.69, along with a WHIP of 1.71 and a K-per-9 of 7.96.

The Cubs offense has slashed .204/.310/.352 on its way to 3.8 runs scored per game this season.

Chicago’s hitters have been led by third baseman Bryant Bryant and left fielder Kyle Schwarber. Bryant is hitting .333/.481/.619 with seven hits, four RBIs and four runs scored, while Schwarber (.294/.400/.765) is up to five hits, two homers, three RBIs and three runs scored.

Bryant enjoyed batting against lefties on the road last year, maintaining a slash line of .348/.488/.561 across 84 such plate appearances (his total season line was .295/.409/.537).

Chicago Cubs at Cincinnati Reds Prediction

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

Betting Trends

  • The Cubs went 12-7 SU against the Reds in 2017.
  • The Cubs have lost three of their last four games SU
  • The Cubs’ bullpen managed an ERA of 5.11 against the Reds last year.