The Chicago Cubs (22-28) welcome the Cincinnati Reds (22-29) to Wrigley Field Saturday. First pitch is set for 7:15 p.m. ET (FOX). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Reds vs. Cubs odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Reds lead 2-1.
The Reds are coming off a 9-0 win to open the series and have alternated winning and losing over their last 6 games. They are 8-15 on the road.
Chicago, on the other hand, is 13-13 at home yet just 3-7 over its last 10. The Cubs ranked 4th in the MLB in on-base percentage (.335).
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Reds at Cubs projected starters
LHP Brandon Williamson vs. RHP Jameson Taillon
Williamson (0-0, 3.60 ERA) makes his 3rd start. He has a 1.20 WHIP, 5.4 BB/9 and 8.1 K/9 through 10 IP.
- This will be Williamson’s 3rd career start. He was traded by Seattle in the 2022 blockbuster deal for Jesse Winker and Eugenio Suarez.
- The Reds are 2-0 with him as the starter.
Taillon (0-3, 8.10 ERA) makes his 8th start. He has a 1.73 WHIP, 3.4 BB/9 and 9.1 K/9 through 26 2/3 IP.
- Taillon has had a win percentage greater than .500 in each season he’s topped 7 starts. He was 14-5 last season with the Yankees.
- The Cubs are 0-7 with Taillon as the starter, and he has gone more than 3 innings in just 1 of his last 4 games.
Reds at Cubs odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:15 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Reds +145 (bet $100 to win $145) | Cubs -175 (bet $175 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Reds +1.5 (-135) | Cubs -1.5 (+110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 8.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
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Reds at Cubs picks and predictions
Prediction
Cubs 6, Reds 5
Moneyline
PASS.
The Cubs haven’t performed too well at home, and with a (-175) tag on them to win straight up, Chicago is too expensive to bet to win.
Cincinnati, at the same time, might be an underdog but is just 8-15 away from home and has been extremely inconsistent this season. Avoid the moneyline option.
Run line/Against the spread
LEAN REDS +1.5 (-135).
The Reds are 29-22 against the spread (ATS) this season, and they have covered 4 of their last 5 games. Cincinnati is 3-3 ATS on the road over its last 6 and 13-10 ATS on the road this season.
Chicago is 9-9 ATS as a home favorite. While he has been solid throughout his career, the lack of performance from Taillon is also concerning and should allow the Reds’ bats to heat up.
Take the REDS +1.5 (-135).
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Over/Under
BET OVER 8.5 (-115).
If there’s one thing both teams have done well, it is cover the Over. Chicago is 26-23-1 O/U and has gone Over in its last 2 games. It is 12-2-1 O/U in its last 15.
The Reds are 28-23 O/U this season and 4-1 O/U in their last 5 games. They are 14-7 O/U following a win as well. Back the OVER 8.5 (-115).
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