The Cincinnati Reds (19-24) and Chicago Cubs (25-19) close out their three-game NL Central series at Wrigley Field Thursday at 8:15 p.m. ET. Below, we analyze the Reds-Cubs MLB betting odds and lines, with picks and best bets.
Reds at Cubs: Projected starting pitchers
RHP Sonny Gray vs. RHP Adbert Alzolay
Gray continues to excel with the Reds. Since coming over from the Yankees in January 2019, the veteran right-hander has registered a 2.94 ERA in 217 2/3 IP. In 2020, he’s clocked a 3.19 ERA and 1.18 WHIP.
- Enters this turn off a head-scratcher in his last start: Eight base runners, 6 ER in 2/3 of an inning against the St. Louis Cardinals Sept. 1.
- Makes this start off a long rest interval (eight days) but has a good performance line over similar past efforts with a 3.47 ERA in starts with six-plus off days.
- Owns a silly-good line against current Chicago batters: .367 OPS allowed, 7.8-to-1 SO-to-BB ratio.
Alzolay is a rookie-eligible 25-year-old making his fifth career start. He’s allowed just 2 ER in 8 2/3 IP in 2020.
- Has walked seven while fanning 12 this season. Five of those free passes came in his last start, a 2 2/3-inning outing against the Cardinals Sept. 5.
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Reds at Cubs: Key injuries
(Get the latest injury news here.)
Reds
- OF Nick Senzel (undisclosed) out
Cubs
- 3B Kris Bryant (elbow) probable
Also see: BaseballHQ Fantasy Baseball
Reds at Cubs: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips
MLB odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 5:35 p.m. ET.
Moneyline (ML)
In a vacuum, this matchup has some baked in play-the-Reds/fade-the-Cubs tilt already based on production vs. expected production vs. winning percentage. Add in the starting pitching matchup and Gray’s tremendous history against Chicago batters, and REDS (-134) is a workable play.
Run line/Against the spread (ATS)
The run line was unposted at the time of publishing.
Over/Under (O/U)
The Over/Under was unposted at the time of publishing.
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