Eugenio Suarez and the Cincinnati Reds will head west to face their division rival Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. The first pitch is scheduled for 8:05 p.m. ET and NBC Sports Chicago is in line to broadcast the matchup.
Cincinnati Reds vs. Chicago Cubs Odds
The Reds are 42-48 SU and have gone 50-39 against the spread (ATS). They’ve lost 2.1 units for gamblers taking the moneyline, despite having gained 3.5 units ATS. Cincinnati has covered the spread five times in its last seven games and the under has hit in four of those seven. The Cubs, on the other hand, are 50-43 SU and 45-47 ATS. They’ve lost 4.0 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 1.1 units ATS. Chicago has a 3-4 ATS record over its last seven outings and the under has cashed in four of those seven.
Chicago games have a 46-40-6 over/under record thus far in 2019. Cincinnati has been a solid under bet with a total record of 31-54-4.
Luis Castillo will get the nod for the visiting Reds. The right-handed Castillo (8-3, 2.29 ERA) has recorded 124 strikeouts in 106 innings so far. He’s 1-1 with 12 strikeouts and a 2.19 ERA against Chicago this year (two starts).
The Cubs are sending righty Kyle Hendricks (7-7, 3.49 ERA) to the mound. Hendricks has 85 strikeouts and 19 walks as well as a 1.17 WHIP. Hendricks is 1-0 with 16 strikeouts and a 2.57 ERA over two starts against Cincinnati this year.
Cincinnati’s pitching staff allowed 4.0 runs per game and its starters own a 3.74 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 9.73 K/9. The bullpen has logged an ERA of 4.02, along with a WHIP of 1.25.
Reds hitters have slashed .239/.311/.415 on their way to 4.4 runs scored per game this season, including 4.6 runs per game against divisional foes and 6.2 per game over the team’s last five contests (1-4 SU).
Cincinnati’s hitters have been paced by third baseman Eugenio Suarez and right fielder Yasiel Puig, who’ve collectively belted 42 home runs. Suarez is hitting .246/.325/.489 with 21 home runs, 56 RBIs and 46 runs scored, while Puig has a .260 average with 21 homers, 55 RBIs, 43 runs and 13 stolen bases.
For the home team, Chicago’s pitching staff has allowed 4.4 runs per game overall in 2019. Its starters have an ERA of 3.98, a WHIP of 1.28 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 8.5. The bullpen has a 4.20 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 8.8 K/9. In 34 divisional games, Cubs starters have an ERA of 3.89 and the bullpen’s ERA is 5.17.
The Chicago hitters have produced 5.1 runs per contest, including 5.2 per game against divisional foes and 5.8 per game over their last five. The team has hit .286/.388/.503 over its last five games and is 4-1 SU during that span.
The Cubs’ offense has been led by shortstop Javier Baez and third baseman Kris Bryant. Baez is slashing .289/.323/.549 with 22 home runs, 63 RBIs and 60 runs scored, while Bryant’s line is .296/.404/.552 with 18 homers, 45 RBIs and 70 runs.
The Reds have lost 3.3 units and are 35-31 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher this year. The over has hit in 23 of those games, compared to 40 that’ve gone under in such games. On the other hand, the Cubs have netted 0.1 units and are 38-37 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher. The over has hit in 38 of those games, compared to 33 which went under the total.
Reds at Cubs Free Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Cubs, ATS Winner – Reds, O/U – OVER
Betting Trends
- The over has cashed in just two of Cincinnati’s last seven games.
- The Cubs have won five of their last six games SU.
- Chicago has recorded 25.7 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 outings and 24.2 over its last five.
- The Reds have hit 13 home runs in their last 10 games. The Cubs have hit 17 over their last 10.
- The Reds have a team OPS of .726 this season and an OPS of .700 against right-handed pitchers. The Cubs’ OPS stands at .797 overall and .815 versus righties.
