Skip to main content

Chicago Cubs at Cincinnati Reds predictions, picks and best bets


The Chicago Cubs (25-14) and Cincinnati Reds (18-24) hook up in Game 2 of a three-game set Wednesday at 6:40 p.m. ET at Great American Ball Park.

Tuesday: The Cubs beat the Reds 3-1 behind SP Kyle Hendricks, who not only pitched eight-innings of three-hit ball with seven K's, but also went 3 for 4 with two RBIs.

Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook; for a full-set of today's sports odds, access them at Paste BN Sports.

Chicago Cubs at Cincinnati Reds: Projected Starting Pitchers

RHP Yu Darvish vs. RHP Sonny Gray

Darvish is 2-3 with a 5.40 ERA and an MLB-high 33 walks in eight starts. He pitched just four innings in each of his last two starts, posting a 6.75 ERA with 11 walks and 11 K's. Darvish only allowed one run in his last outing, but walked six with seven K's in a no-decision Thursday vs. the Miami Marlins. However, he is 2-0 with a 1.93 ERA in three career starts vs. the Reds, including a two-hit, six-inning performance in a 6-1 win last May.

Gray is 0-4 with a 4.15 ERA and a 41/16 K-BB ratio in eight starts. The seven-year veteran, in his first year with Cincy, yielded three earned runs on six hits and five walks with three K's in 4 1/3 innings of a no-decision 5-4 loss at the Oakland A's Wednesday. He's 0-1 with a 3.60 ERA in one career start vs. the Cubs, back in 2016.

Chicago Cubs at Cincinnati Reds: By the Numbers

  • Prior to Tuesday's game, Cubs starters led the NL with a 3.21 ERA, while the Reds were third at 3.55. Cincinnati's bullpen ranked No. 1 with a 3.37 ERA.
  • Reds IF/OF Derek Dietrich is 2 for 4 in his career vs. Darvish and the only current Red to have a HR vs. Darvish.
  • Only five current Cubs have faced Gray in his career with C Wilson Contreras (1 for 2) and 2B Addison Russell (1 for 2) the lone two with hits, both singles.

  • The Cubs are 4-4 in Darvish's eight starts. The Reds are 2-6 in Gray's starts.
  • The Cubs won last year's season series vs. the Reds 11-8, but were 4-6 in Cincy, including getting swept in four there in late June.

Chicago Cubs at Cincinnati Reds: Key Injuries

Cubs 1B Anthony Rizzo sat the last two games because of a sore back. He is day to day.

Cubs IF/OF Ben Zobrist hasn't played since May 6 and has been away from the team due to a personal matter. His return is uncertain.

Chicago Cubs at Cincinnati Reds: Picks and Betting Tips

</div> <p> <strong>Moneyline:</strong> The Cubs are hot, winning 13 of 15, and are the STRONGEST PLAY of all three options as <strong>+100</strong> offers a great value. The Reds are <strong>-114</strong>.</p> <p> <strong>Against the spread</strong>: The Cubs' <strong>+1.5, -205</strong> is just too expensive. Stick to the MONEYLINE play. The Reds are <strong>-1.5, +174</strong>.</p> <p> <strong>Over/under:</strong> While the Cubs have played six UNDER games in a row, expect the bats to break out for both clubs with these starting pitchers. <strong>OVER 9, -106</strong> is the play.</p> <p> <em>Follow Johnny on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/JohnnyParlay11">@JohnnyParlay11</a> </em> </p> <p><strong>MORE:</strong></p> <p><a href="https://ftw.usatoday.com/2019/09/burmese-python-discovered-in-surprising-place/?utm_source=USATAPP&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=inline-related">Burmese python discovered in surprising place</a></p> <p><a href="https://ftw.usatoday.com/2019/09/ufc-fighter-makes-opponent-flinch-by-screaming-in-his-face-during-staredown/?utm_source=USATAPP&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=inline-related">UFC fighter makes opponent flinch by screaming in his face during staredown</a></p> <p><a href="https://ftw.usatoday.com/2019/09/rangers-mike-minor-200th-strike-out-after-not-catching-foul-ball-on-purpose/?utm_source=USATAPP&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=inline-related">Rangers ripped for not catching easy foul ball so pitcher could reach milestone</a></p> <p><a href="https://ftw.usatoday.com/2019/09/packers-eagles-goal-line-passes/?utm_source=USATAPP&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=inline-related">Packers' puzzling goal-line decisions end in disaster</a></p> <p><a href="https://ftw.usatoday.com/2019/09/watch-avonte-maddox-provides-an-update-on-his-status-after-returning-to-philly/?utm_source=USATAPP&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=inline-related">WATCH: Avonte Maddox provides an update on his status after returning to Philly</a></p></body></html>