The Cincinnati Reds (58-49) and Chicago Cubs (53-52) play the opener of a 4-game set at Wrigley Field Monday. First pitch is at 8:05 p.m. ET. 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 4-1
The Reds took 2 of 3 from the Los Angeles Dodgers over the weekend, capped off by a 9-0 shutout Sunday. They’re 7-3 over the last 10 games and have taken a half-game lead on the Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Central. The Reds have been better on the road at 30-23 as opposed to 28-26 at home. They have had trouble within the division, though, at 13-19.
The Cubs had an 8-game winning streak snapped with a 3-0 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals Sunday. The Cubs sit 4 games out in the division and 3 1/2 out of a Wild-Card spot. They announced they weren’t selling over the weekend and could add to their pitching staff over the next couple of days. They’re 18-13 within the division.
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Reds at Cubs projected starters
LHP Andrew Abbott vs. RHP Marcus Stroman
Abbott (6-2, 1.90 ERA) makes his 11th start. He has a 0.96 WHIP, 2.8 BB/9 and 9.6 K/9 in 61 2/3 innings.
- Last start: Win, 6 IP, 0 ER, 7 H, 1 BB, 9 K Tuesday in 4-3 win over the Milwaukee Brewers
- Has not faced Cubs
- Home/road splits: 4-1, 2.25 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, 9.3 K/9 in 5 road starts; 2-1, 1.60 ERA, 0.65 WHIP, 9.9 K/9 in 5 home starts
Stroman (10-7, 3.51 ERA) makes his 23rd start. He has a 1.20 WHIP, 3.4 BB/9 and 7.8 K/9 in 125 2/3 innings.
- Last start: No-decision, 3 1/3 IP, 7 ER, 9 H, 2 BB, 4 K in Wednesday 10-7 win against the Chicago White Sox
- Last 5 starts vs. Reds: 3-1, 2.45 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, 28 K in 29 1/3 IP
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 8:40 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Reds +100 (bet $100 to win $100) | Cubs -120 (bet $120 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Reds +1.5 (-200) | Cubs -1.5 (+165)
- Over/Under (O/U): 8 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Reds at Cubs picks and predictions
Prediction
Reds 6, Cubs 5
Moneyline
The Cubs’ winning streak was impressive, but they did it against the Cardinals and White Sox. The Reds have played 4 straight teams in the playoff mix and won 7 of 10. They’ve also taken it to the Cubs this year with 3 of their 4 wins by 3 runs or more. Cincinnati won all 3 at Wrigley this year.
I’ll take the REDS +100.
Run line/Against the spread
The Cubs are favored in this game, and I’m not keen enough on Cincinnati’s bullpen to take the multi-run win. I’ll PASS and stick to the ML.
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Over/Under
The Reds are just 2-8 O/U over the last 10, and the Cubs are 4-4-2. All 5 games have gone Over between the teams this year as each game went north of 10. Stroman has an 8.00 ERA over his last 6 starts, and we have seen 6 straight Overs cash in this matchup. I think we’ll see 7.
Take the OVER 8 (-110).
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