The Cincinnati Reds (59-50) and Chicago Cubs (54-53) meet for the 3rd game of a 4-game series in Chicago on Wednesday. First pitch from Wrigley Field 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 5-2
The Reds were walloped 20-9 on Tuesday after winning the series opener 6-5 on Monday. Cincinnati is 4-4 as it continues on a 10-game road trip and has won 9 out of its last 13 games. The Reds lead the NL Central by half a game over the Milwaukee Brewers.
The Cubs snapped a 2-game losing skid with Tuesday’s outburst. They have won 9 out of their last 11 games and are in 3rd place in the NL Central, trailing Cincinnati by 4 games.
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Reds at Cubs projected starters
LHP Brandon Williamson vs. LHP Drew Smyly
Williamson (3-2, 4.48 ERA) makes his 14th start. He has a 1.34 WHIP, 3.8 BB/9 and 6.7 K/9 through 64 1/3 IP.
- Last start: Win, 5 2/3 IP, 2 ER, 8 H, 4 BB, 2 K in 6-5 road win over Los Angeles Dodgers Friday
- Has allowed 2 or fewer earned runs in 5 straight starts
Smyly (8-7, 4.50 ERA) makes his 20th start and 22nd appearance. He has a 1.35 WHIP, 3.1 BB/9 and 8.1 K/9 through 108 IP.
- Last appearance: Win, 4 1/3 IP, 1 ER, 2 H, 1 BB, 6 K in relief in 3-2 road win over St. Louis Cardinals Friday
- Was 1-2 with a 6.65 ERA across 21 2/3 IP over 3 starts and 2 relief appearances in July
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 7:57 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Reds +115 (bet $100 to win $115) | Cubs -140 (bet $140 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Reds +1.5 (-165) | Cubs -1.5 (+135)
- Over/Under (O/U): 10 (O: -105 | U: -115)
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Reds at Cubs picks and predictions
Prediction
Reds 7, Cubs 5
Moneyline
The Reds have been good on the road this season as evidenced by their 31-24 road mark which is the 2nd-best in the NL. The Cubs are only 28-27 at home although they have won 6 of their last 8 contests at Wrigley Field.
Smyly’s 6.65 July ERA does not give great confidence in this outing, especially since Williamson has not allowed more than 2 runs in 5 straight outings.
BET REDS (+115).
Run line/Against the spread
The Reds’ 71-38 ATS mark is the best in all of baseball. They are 12-2 ATS in their last 14 games.
The Cubs are 7th at 57-50 ATS. They are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games.
I like the Reds to win outright, so Cincinnati +1.5 (-165) isn’t nearly as good a wager as the plus-money odds on the moneyline.
PASS.
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Over/Under
Six of the 7 games in the season series have had more than 10 total runs.
Thirteen of the Cubs’ last 19 games have had at least 10 total runs.
BET OVER 10 (-105).
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