Chicago Cubs at Cincinnati Reds odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Thursday’s Chicago Cubs vs. Cincinnati Reds Field of Dreams Game odds and lines, with MLB expert picks and predictions.

The Chicago Cubs (45-65) and Cincinnati Reds (44-66) begin a 3-game series Thursday with the opener being the nationally televised Field of Dreams Game in Dyersville, Iowa, at 7:15 p.m. ET (FOX). The Reds, who are the home team, will host the final 2 games of the series back in Cincinnati Saturday and Sunday. Let’s analyze Tipico Sportsbook‘s lines around the Cubs vs. Reds odds with MLB picks and predictions.

Season series: Cubs lead 4-3

The Cubs just concluded a 4-2 homestand in which they allowed just 15 runs in the 6 games.

The Reds just got swept in 3 at the Mets, finishing up a 9-game road trip with a 4-5 record.

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Cubs at Reds projected starters

LHP Drew Smyly vs. LHP Nick Lodolo

Smyly (4-6, 3.97 ERA) makes his 15th start. He has a 1.29 WHIP, 2.1 BB/9 and 7.1 K/9 in 65 2/3 IP.

  • Since coming off IL in early July, has a 4.30 ERA and 7.0 K/9 in 5 starts spanning 23 IP
  • Owns a 4.50 ERA on the road this season with a 6.6 K/9 and 6 HR allowed in 38 IP

Lodolo (3-3, 4.40 ERA) makes his 10th start. He has a 1.58 WHIP, 4.2 BB/9 and 12.1 K/9 in 43 IP.

  • Has swing-and-miss stuff, as his 29.0% K% ranks 12th among all starters who have thrown 40-plus innings
  • Has struggled with control lately, with 11 walks in 18 2/3 IP in his last 4 starts

Cubs at Reds odds and lines

Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:53 p.m. ET.

  • Money line (ML): Cubs -105 (bet $105 to win $100) | Reds -115 (bet $115 to win $100)
  • Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Cubs -1.5 (+145) | Reds +1.5 (-180)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 9.5 (O: +105 | U: -130)

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Cubs at Reds picks and predictions

Prediction

Reds 5, Cubs 4

Money line

Both teams have had rough seasons, but both have been playing better since the All-Star break. The Cubs have a 10-8 record over that span, while the Reds check in at 10-9.

Lodolo could have a big game if he can harness his control. He typically generates a lot of whiffs, and the Cubs strike out at the 2nd highest rate vs lefties. Lodolo’s plus stuff is worth gambling on. Back the REDS (-115).

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Run line/Against the spread

This is likely to be a close game between 2 pretty evenly matched teams.  While flipping the line to Reds +1.5 (-180) is worth considering, they aren’t likely to run away with the game. They rank 29th in wRC+ vs LHP and as the “home” team, a last-inning win would probably be by a single run. PASS on the run line.

Over/Under

We’ve noted the struggles of both teams against left-handed pitching, so neither side should be expected to come through with an offensive explosion in this game. The Under has hit in 8 of the last 10 games for the Reds and in 12 of the last 16 for the Cubs. Look for those trends to continue and for this total to sneak in UNDER 9.5 (-130).

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Chicago Cubs at Cincinnati Reds odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Wednesday’s Chicago Cubs at Cincinnati Reds odds and lines, with MLB expert picks and predictions.

The Chicago Cubs (18-24) and Cincinnati Reds (12-30) will play the 3rd of their 4-game series Wednesday with the first pitch from the Great American Ball Park at 6:40 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze Tipico Sportsbook‘s lines around the Cubs vs. Reds odds with MLB picks and predictions.

Season series: Cubs lead 2-0 after wining the first 2 games of the series, outscoring the Reds 18-8.

The Cubs are on a 3-game winning streak after they had lost 4 straight. They’ve been a streaky team lately, also winning 4 in a row earlier this month. They rank in the middle of MLB in most hitting categories, scoring the 14th-most runs (184) and ranking 15th in team batting average (.236).

The Reds have lost 4 of their last 5 games, but have righted the ship a bit as the season has gone on. Nine of their 12 wins this season have come since May 7, going 9-8 in that stretch.

Cubs at Reds projected starters

RHP Kyle Hendricks vs. RHP Luis Castillo

Hendricks (2-4, 4.89 ERA) makes his 10th start. He has a 1.33 WHIP, 3.1 BB/9 and 6.3 K/9 in 49 2/3 IP.

  • Gave up 4 HR, 7 ER in last start May 20 vs. the Arizona Diamondbacks, both his highest totals of the season.
  • Has had 5 starts allowing 2 or fewer runs, but also 3 starts allowing 6-plus runs.
  • Is 7-5 with a 4.32 ERA in 22 career starts against the Reds.

Castillo (0-2, 4.60 ERA) makes his 4th start. He has a 1.15 WHIP, 2.3 BB/9 and 6.9 K/9 in 15 2/3 IP.

  • Allowed just 2 R in 6 IP with 5 K no walks in last start May 20, a 2-1 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays.
  • Is 5-5 with a 3.97 ERA in 14 career starts against the Cubs.

Cubs at Reds odds and lines

Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:36 a.m. ET.

  • Money line (ML): Cubs +120 (bet $100 to win $120) | Reds -145 (bet $145 to win $100)
  • Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Cubs +1.5 (-175) | Reds -1.5 (+140)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 8.5 (O: -122 | U: -102)

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Cubs at Reds picks and predictions

Prediction

Cubs 6, Reds 4

Money line

Hendricks has struggled this season, but it’s somewhat surprising to see the Cubs as underdogs in this matchup. They’ve been solid on the road, going 11-9 away from Wrigley Field, and they easily took the first 2 games of this series.

I like the CUBS (+120) on the money line to win outright against a Reds team that hasn’t hit the ball well at all this season.

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Run line/Against the spread

You can take a little bit of insurance on the run line by taking the Cubs +1.5 (-175), but that line is juiced too heavily for me to bet on it. I’d much rather just stick to the money line and aim for the Cubs to take the 3rd game of the series.

PASS on the spread.

Over/Under

The total went Over in each of the first 2 games of the series, with 15 and 11 runs being scored. With 2 pitchers on the mound who don’t strike out batters at a high rate, I think we could see another high-scoring game in Cincinnati. Plus, the total has gone Over in each of the Cubs’ last 5 games.

Bet the OVER 8.5 (-122).

Bet legally online with a trusted partner: Tipico Sportsbook, Sportsbook Wire’s official sportsbook partner in CO, NJ and soon IA. Bet now!

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Additional MLB coverage:
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Gannett may earn revenue from Tipico for audience referrals to betting services. Tipico has no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. See Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. 21+ only. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA).

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