The Cincinnati Reds (59-49) play the 2nd game of a 4-game series against the Chicago Cubs (53-53) on Tuesday at Wrigley Field. First pitch is scheduled for 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 5-1
The Reds squeaked out a 6-5 win over the Cubs in the series opener Monday as OF Will Benson connected for a double and a triple. Cincinnati is 7-3 in its last 10 games and 1 1/2 games ahead of the Milwaukee Brewers atop the NL Central.
Cubs SS Dansby Swanson hit his 13th homer of the season and C Yan Gomes supplied 3 hits in Monday’s loss. Following an 8-game win streak, Chicago has lost its last 2 games and is now 5 games back of Cincinnati in the division.
[gambcom-standard rankid=”3011″ ]
[gambcom-standard rankid=”3012″ ]
Reds at Cubs projected starters
RHP Ben Lively vs. LHP Justin Steele
Lively (4-6, 3.76 ERA) makes his 12th start. He has a 1.21 WHIP, 2.3 BB/9 and 8.3 K/9 through 67 IP.
- Last start: Loss, 6 2/3 IP, 2 ER, 8 H, 0 BB, 3 K in 3-0 road defeat to the Brewers Wednesday
- Road stats: 2-4. 3.58 ERA (32 2/3 IP, 13 ER) in 5 starts and 1 relief appearance
- Career vs. Cubs: 0-1, 10.80 ERA (5 IP, 6 ER) in 1 start on Aug. 26, 2017
Steele (11-3, 2.87 ERA) makes his 20th start. He has a 1.12 WHIP, 2.0 BB/9 and 8.2 K/9 through 109 2/3 IP.
- Last start: Win, 6 IP, 1 ER, 5 H, 3 BB, 4 K in 10-3 road win against the St. Louis Cardinals Thursday
- Home stats: 7-2, 2.97 ERA (60 2/3 IP, 20 ER) in 11 starts
- Career vs. Reds: 1-3, 8.34 ERA (22 2/3 IP, 21 ER) in 5 starts and 2 relief appearances
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 9:30 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Reds +135 (bet $100 to win $135) | Cubs -160 (bet $160 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Reds +1.5 (-145) | Cubs -1.5 (+120)
- Over/Under (O/U): 8.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)
Win your fantasy baseball league with BaseballHQ.com. For decades, BHQ has been helping players just like you win! Use the couple code SBW23 for $15 OFF a full-season subscription. New customer offer; expires 9/30/2023. Subscribe today and start winning!
Reds at Cubs picks and predictions
Prediction
Cubs 5, Reds 4
Moneyline
Considering the pitchers that are taking the mound on Tuesday, I’ll side with the CUBS (-160) and Steele at home. Steele has struggled against the Reds in his career, but he’s been one of the best pitchers in baseball this season.
Run line/Against the spread
REDS +1.5 (-145) is the choice for the spread as Cincinnati should keep this game close. Steele has shown he’s susceptible to giving up runs in recent starts and Cincinnati has won 5 of the first 6 meetings between these clubs this season.
Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!
Over/Under
OVER 8.5 (-105) is how I’d bet on the run total in this divisional showdown even with Steele having a strong campaign. The Over is 8-2 in the last 10 meetings overall.
[gambcom-standard rankid=”5″ ]
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
Follow Skyler Carlin on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
Additional MLB coverage:
BaseballHQ Fantasy Baseball
BaseballPress.com: Your source for every MLB lineup
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1372]