In Game 1 of their divisional doubleheader, the Chicago Cubs are set to face off against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. WGN is in line to televise the action and the opening pitch is scheduled for 1:10 p.m. ET.
Chicago Cubs vs. Cincinnati Reds Odds
The Reds are only 15-30 SU and 24-20 ATS. They’ve lost 10.5 units for moneyline bettors and 2.1 units against the spread (ATS). The Cubs have gone 23-18 SU this year and are 17-23 ATS. In total, the team’s lost 5.3 units for bettors taking the moneyline over the early portions of the year and 6.3 units ATS.
Reds games have an over/under record of 20-23-1 so far in 2018. The Cubs have an over/under record of 18-22.
The right-handed Kyle Hendricks will get the nod for Chicago. Hendricks is 3-3 with a 3.20 ERA and 38 strikeouts. He has yet to face Cincinnati this year, but he did make two starts against the team in 2017, posting a 1-0 record with a 1.50 ERA and 10 strikeouts.
The Reds are handing the ball to righty Luis Castillo (3-4, 6.02 ERA), who has 46 strikeouts and 15 walks to his credit, as well as a 1.42 WHIP. Castillo only made one start against the Cubs in 2017 (0-0, 0.00 ERA and seven strikeouts across six innings).
Chicago’s pitchers have allowed 3.9 runs per game and its starters own a 3.87 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 8.35 K/9. The bullpen has managed an outstanding ERA of just 2.73, along with a WHIP of 1.35 and a K/9 of 8.84.
The Cubs offense has slashed .256/.338/.425 on its way to 5.3 runs scored per game in 2018, including 4.3 runs per game against divisional foes and 4.0 per game over the team’s last five contests (2-3 SU).
Third baseman Kris Bryant and catcher Willson Contreras have led Chicago’s hitters. Bryant is slashing .303/.425/.592 with eight home runs, 22 RBIs and 28 runs scored, while Contreras (.287/.366/.503) is up to four homers, 20 RBIs and 16 runs scored.
In the home-team dugout, Cincinnati’s pitchers have given up 5.1 runs per game overall in 2018. Its starters have a 5.52 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 7.1 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a 4.06 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 9.0 K/9. In 19 games against divisional foes, Reds starters have an ERA of 6.29 and the bullpen’s ERA is 4.66.
The Cincinnati hitters are putting up 4.1 runs per outing, including 2.8 per game against divisional foes and 4.4 per game over their last five. The team has slashed .238/.301/.440 over its last five matchups and is 2-3 SU during that stretch.
The Reds’ offense has been led by first baseman Joey Votto and second baseman Scooter Gennett. Votto is hitting .284/.411/.432 with six home runs, 24 RBIs and 20 runs scored, while Gennett’s line is .325/.360/.521 with seven homers, 25 RBIs and 21 runs.
Compared to his total season slash line of .320/.453/.577, Votto seemed to enjoy hitting right-handed pitchers at home last season, slashing .347/.490/.648 over 253 such plate appearances.
The Cubs have lost 4.9 units and are 12-17 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher this season. The over has cashed in 13 of those games, compared to 16 that’ve gone under in such games. On the other hand, the Reds have lost 9.1 units and are 17-15 ATS when facing a righty starter. The over’s cashed in 14 of those games, compared to 18 that went under the total.
Chicago Cubs vs. Cincinnati Reds Free Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Reds, ATS Winner – Cubs, O/U – OVER
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Notes
Betting Notes
The under has cashed in three of Chicago’s last seven games.
Chicago has recorded 27.8 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 games and 20.0 over its last five.
Both teams have hit 14 home runs over their last 10 outings.
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