This is one of the sadder MLB matchups on Tuesday’s slate. The Chicago Cubs and Cincinnati Reds have both struggled mightily through the first three months of the season with little relief in sight. The Reds, who opened the season with one of the worst stretches in MLB history, haven’t found things much easier going as of late.
Cincinnati has lost eight of its past 10 games and are 2.5 games behind Chicago for fourth place. The Cubs have been treading water as of late, splitting their past 10 games. Most of Chicago’s struggles have come due to inconsistent pitching.
This game will be a good chance for each team to kick off the series with a win and try to improve their position in the division. While neither team is likely competing with the idea they will be in the World Series, both will be eager to avoid landing in the basement.
Last game records
Cincinnati beat San Francisco 10-3 Sunday. The Cincinnati Reds are 25-47. Chicago beat St. Louis 6-5 Sunday. Chicago is 28-45.
Matchup information
Reds vs Cubs Betting Analysis
Cincinnati Analysis
MLB standings show the Reds mired at the bottom of the division thanks in part to a poor run differential. Cincinnati has been outscored by 77 runs and compiled a 13-24 record away from home. The Reds are 539-645 all-time against the Cubs on the road.
Cincinnati will be sending its top pitcher, Luis Castillo, to the mound against the Cubs. The Reds have lost Castillo’s last four starts, in which he has conceded three or more earned runs three times. Castillo is 2-4 on the season with a 3.71 ERA. Castillo has struck out 49 batters in 51 innings of work.
Cincinnati’s offense has been productive this season, compiling 4.36 runs per game, which ranks 16th in the league. The Reds’ biggest problem has come on the mound. Cincinnati’s pitching staff ranks 30th in the MLB with a 5.36 ERA.
Chicago Analysis
Anyone making MLB picks today will see Cubs pitcher Keegan Thompson has been one of Chicago’s best pitchers this season. Thompson is 7-2 and has a 3.10 ERA with 55 strikeouts in 61 innings pitched. The Cubs have won Thompson’s last two starts.
MLB stats show, though, that the Chicago offense has been mostly middling this season. The Cubs are 19th in the league in scoring, producing 4.25 runs per game. Chicago hits .245 from the plate and has blasted 71 home runs.
Patrick Wisdom leads the Cubs with 14 home runs, while Wilson Contreras has 12. Ian Happ has also been productive at the plate for Chicago, hitting .279. Nico Hoerner is leading the team with a .295 batting average.
Updates
Red second baseman Jonathan India is day-to-day with a hand injury. Chicago Cubs right fielder Jason Heyward missed last Sunday’s game with St. Louis due to a knee injury. He is listed as day-to-day.
- Cincinnati is 32-40 against the run line.
- Chicago is 36-37 against the run line.
- The over has gone 40-31-1 in the Reds’ games this season.
- The over has gone 36-34-3 in the Cubs’ games this season.
- Cincinnati is 10-14 following a win this season.
- Chicago is 10-17 following a win this season.
Reds vs Cubs Betting Preview
MLB odds has Chicago as a -116 favorite. The Reds are -102.
Reds vs Cubs Betting Preview
This is a pretty good pitching matchup, considering the two teams involved. Both Castillo and Thompson have helped carry their respective team’s pitching staffs. The Cubs have been playing better baseball over the past few weeks, while the Reds have fallen back into their previous slump.
Castillo, while still a solid pitcher, hasn’t been up to his usual standards lately. Even if Chicago won’t get to Castillo, the Cubs will be able to play runs against the Reds’ bullpen. Back Thompson to pick up another victory and propel Chicago past its division rival.
How to bet Reds vs Cubs
Bet Cubs -116.
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