Cincinnati Reds at Chicago Cubs odds, picks and predictions
The Chicago Cubs (28-30) welcome the Cincinnati Reds (25-32) to Wrigley Field Saturday for the 2nd game of their 3-game series. First pitch is set for 7:15 p.m. ET (FOX). Let's analyze FanDuel Sportsbook's lines around the Reds vs. Cubsodds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Reds lead 1-0
The Reds kicked off the series strong with a 5-4 win Friday. A 2-run HR by SS Santiago Espinal in his lone at-bat took Cincinnati from down 3-2 to up 4-3, and it never lost the lead after.
The Reds snapped a 2-game losing streak with the victory. That losing streak came on the back of a 4-game winning streak in which 3 of those wins came in a sweep over the Los Angeles Dodgers. Cincinnati is 6-4 over its last 10 yet still sits last in the NL Central. It is 30-27 against the spread (ATS) on the season.
The Cubs continued their losing ways Friday, having now lost 3 in a row. Chicago has struggled mightily over the past two weeks, losing 8 of its last 9 with 6 of those defeats coming against divisional opponents. It sits 3rd in the NL Central and is 28-30 ATS.
Reds at Cubs projected starters
RHP Hunter Greene vs. LHP Justin Steele
Greene (3-2, 3.06 ERA) makes his 12th start. He has a 1.14 WHIP, 3.5 BB/9 and 9.9 K/9 through 64 2/3 IP.
- Last start: Win, 6 IP, 1 ER, 5 H, 1 BB, 5 K in a 3-1 home win over the Los Angeles Dodgers Saturday
- 2024 road splits: 2-0, 1.85 ERA (24 1/3 IP, 5 ER), 14 H, 1 HR, 7 BB, 27 K in 4 starts
- Career vs. Cubs: 3-1, 3.43 ERA (21 IP, 8 ER), 0.86 WHIP, 12.9 K/9 in 4 starts
Steele (0-2, 4.45 ERA) makes his 7th start. He has a 1.05 WHIP, 1.9 BB/9 and 8.6 K/9 through 32 1/3 IP.
- Last start: No-decision, 7 IP, 0 ER, 3 H, 1 BB, 8 K in 5-1 road loss to the Milwaukee Brewers Monday
- 2024 home splits: 0-2, 4.86 ERA (16 2/3 IP, 9 ER), 15 H, 3 HR, 3 BB, 14 K in 3 starts
- Career vs. Reds: 2-3, 7.53 ERA (28 2/3 IP, 24 ER), 1.85 WHIP, 10.4 K/9 in 6 starts and 2 relief appearances
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Reds at Cubs odds
Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:50 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Reds +116 (bet $100 to win $116) | Cubs -134 (bet $134 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Reds +1.5 (-184) | Cubs -1.5 (+152)
- Over/Under (O/U): 7 (O: -115 | U: -105)
Reds at Cubs picks and predictions
Prediction
Cubs 4, Reds 2
Moneyline
BET CUBS (-134).
The Reds have lost 3 of Greene's last 5 starts, and they have really come up short following a win, showing an inability to put streaks together. Cincinnati is 9-15 straight up following a win.
It is also the 5th-worst team as a road underdog at 7-14. The Cubs are 9-7 as a home favorite. They are strong following a loss with a 17-12 record. Considering those trends, back CUBS (-134).
Run line/Against the spread
PASS.
Greene has been playing well as of late, but the Reds have been too sporadic to back as this lofty of a run-line underdog. Similarly, the Cubs aren't worth the risk as a run-line favorite.
Over/Under
BET UNDER 7 (-105).
The Reds started out the season as one of the hottest teams for the Over, but they have gone Under in 5 of their last 6 games. Cincinnati has scored 4 or fewer runs in 5 of its last 6 and is 26-29-2 O/U on the season.
The Reds are also 0-4-1 O/U in Greene's last 5 starts. The Cubs are 6-6 O/U in their last 12 games and 26-30-2 O/U. With those trends in mind, back UNDER 7 (-105).
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