In the rubber match of a three-game bill Thursday night, the Cincinnati Reds visit the Chicago Cubs. This tilt also marks the last time that these clubs meet up for MLB matchups until after the All-Star break. Up until this point, these teams have split their season series at three wins apiece.
The Reds (26-48) have notched three wins in five tries after suffering through a seven-game losing slide recently. In the MLB standings, Cincy resides in the cellar of the National League Central, 16.5 games behind division-leading Milwaukee.
Part of the reason for that could be their struggles on the road. The only NL crews to have fewer than the Reds’ 14 away wins are Pittsburgh and Colorado.
Chicago (29-46) is seeking its second straight series victory, as it beat St. Louis in two of three last weekend. The Cubs are 2.5 games up on the Reds but look at 14 games separating themselves and the Brewers. They haven’t done well at Wrigley Field, though, only winning 14 of their 40 clashes at their home yard.
As you’d expect from a team that hasn’t yet sailed smoothly, Chicago has had an average offensive showing. Their .245 team batting average ranks in the middle of the NL, though their total runs scored are the fourth-least in the bigs.
Over the last week, shortstop Nico Hoerner has had a solid performance. He’s recorded 13 hits in 23 at-bats, leading to five runs, as well as five RBIs.
Center fielder Rafael Ortega and first baseman Alfonso Rivas both hit .368 or better in at least 16 plate appearances over that same span.
Reds vs. Cubs Odds
MLB odds factor the home team in this tilt. Chicago is -1.5 on the run line at +158, while the Reds are -192 to cover the spread.
On the moneyline, the Cubs are -124 and Cincy a +106 underdog. The total has been set at 9.5 runs, with the over being -114 and the under -106 at the time of this writing.
Despite their poor ledger so far, the Reds have actually been better than the Chicago Cubs at the dish.
Shortstop Kyle Farmer and third baseman Brandon Drury have been key components. Farmer paces the team with a .281 batting average, while Drury has a team-high 16 homers and 40 RBIs.
Left fielder Tommy Pham and catcher Tyler Stephenson also have at least 30 runs driven in.
Matchup Information
Reds vs. Cubs Betting Preview
Rookie right-hander Graham Ashcraft will take the hill for the guests. To this point, he has a 4-1 record and a respectable 3.27 ERA. The Cincinnati Reds have won four of his last five starts, all this month. That surge includes what could easily be considered Ashcraft’s best outing as a major leaguer.
On the road against San Francisco last Friday, Ashcraft turned in eight innings of work, allowing the Giants six hits and only two runs. The showing was enough to earn him the decision, rebounding from a loss to Milwaukee the time out before that.
Cincy has done well with Ashcraft on the mound. They’ve only dropped one of his seven starts thus far. The 24-year-old hurler has lasted at least five frames on five occasions.
Chicago’s Kyle Hendricks will throw, too. In 14 starts this year, he has a 3-6 mark and, during June, has done so-so. However, he is coming off of a fantastic outing, as well. At St. Louis last Friday, he gave up five hits and no runs in 7.1 innings.
Cincinnati Reds vs. Chicago Cubs Picks and Predictions
There’s one big reason to take the Reds to win outright in this one. All you have to do is look at their starter on the rubber to see what sort of chance he gives them.
With your daily MLB picks today, make some money by taking Cincy with the upset. Ashcraft will continue on his rookie roll, outdueling Hendricks in one of those that have little effect at the top of the MLB standings.
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