The Chicago Cubs (18-13) and Cincinnati Reds (14-17) continue their four-game weekend series with a Saturday doubleheader at Great American Ball Park (GABP). The opener is slated for a 4:10 p.m. ET first pitch. Below, we analyze the Cubs-Reds MLB betting odds and lines, with picks and best bets.
Friday: Cincinnati won 6-5, evening the regular-season series at 2-all.
Cubs at Reds: Projected starting pitchers
RHP Yu Darvish vs. RHP Trevor Bauer
Darvish: 5-1, 1.70 ERA (37 IP, 7 ER), 0.92 WHIP, 44 K in 6 starts
- Last start: Win, 7 IP, 1 ER, 6 H, 1 BB, 10 K vs. Chicago White Sox Sunday – Cubs won 2-1
- 2020 on the road: 1-0, 1.29 ERA (7 IP, 1 ER) 1 start
- 2019 vs Reds: 1-2, 4.60 ERA (31 1/3 IP, 16 ER) 5 starts, including 0-1, 4.76 ERA (11 1/3 IP, 6 ER) in 2 starts at GABP
- Career vs. Reds: 3-2, 3.60 ERA (50 ER, 20 IP) in 8 starts; 1-1, 3.86 ERA (23 1/3 IP, 10 ER) in 4 GABP starts
Bauer: 3-1, 1.65 ERA (32 2/3 IP, 6 ER), 0.74 WHIP, 49 K in 5 starts
- Last start: Loss, 6 1/3 IP, 4 ER, 7 H, 2 BB, 8 K at Milwaukee Brewers Monday – Reds lost 4-2
- 2020 at home: 0-0, 1.42 (6 1/3 IP, 1 ER) in 1 start
- Career vs. Cubs: 4-0, 0.68 ERA (26 2/3 IP, 2 ER) in 4 starts
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Cubs at Reds: Key injuries
(Get the latest injury news here.)
Cubs
- 3B Kris Bryant (wrist) out
- OF Steven Souza (hamstring) out
Reds
- OF Nick Senzel (undisclosed) out
Also see: BaseballHQ Fantasy Baseball
Cubs at Reds: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips
MLB odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 11:05 a.m. ET.
Prediction
Reds 2, Cubs 0
Moneyline (ML)
The REDS (-106) are the play in this expected pitchers’ duel. Darvish has won five in a row, but Bauer gets the edge. He’ll be zoned in as he’s coming off his worst start of the year in which he yielded 4 earned runs on 7 hits – he allowed only 2 earned runs on 8 hits in his previous four starts.
Just look at these numbers (again):
- Bauer: 1.65, 0.75 WHIP, 49 K (5 starts)
- Darvish: 1.70 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, 44 K (6 starts)
What gives Bauer the nod is that he has made two doubleheader starts already this season and fired (seven-inning) complete-game shutouts in both. With this being another seven-inning contest, don’t be surprised if he records his MLB-leading third complete game of 2020.
New to sports betting? Every winning $1.06 bet on the Reds will profit $1. Every $1.06 bet on the Cubs (-106) will profit a $1 if they win.
Run line/Against the spread (ATS)
PASS. Don’t even bother. The Reds (+1.5, -209) are 13-18 vs. the RL overall and 5-8 at home. The Cubs (-1.5, +170) are 14-17 vs. the RL, including 5-6 on the road. Plus, they’re 1-6 vs. the RL in their last seven games.
Over/Under (O/U)
The UNDER 5.5 (-110) is the STRONGEST PLAY with these two pitchers toeing the rubber. Bauer starts are 1-4 vs. the O/U this season, while Darvish is 3-3, but 1-3 O/U in his last four. (Strongest-play wagers should be 1½ times your usual bet).
Want some action on this game? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips and advice, visit SportsbookWire. com.
| Johnny’s 2020 MLB record | 36-18-1 |
| 2020 overall record (all sports) | 76-46-2 |
| Strongest plays (all sports) | 38-18 |
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