Tag: Jon Lester

Jon Lester thanked Chicago Cubs fans by buying them $47,000 worth of beer

Wow!

The Chicago Cubs declined the $25 million option on Jon Lester’s contract recently, which could put an end to the lefty starter’s career in the Windy City, a run that lasted six years and included winning the team’s first World Series since 1908.

So if the Cubs don’t end up re-signing the vet, it’s a goodbye to the man who’s won 193 games in a career that’s included stops in Boston and Oakland.

How did he thank Chicago? He tweeted on Friday that he’d pay for one  Miller Lite per fan at four Chicago bars, and it ended up being A LOT of money on Lester’s tab.

It caused a credit card fraud alert!

The grand total: a whopping 4,838 Miller Lites and over $47,000 spent — per ESPN — that included the beers and 34 percent gratuity in honor of his uniform number.

What a gesture!

 

Chicago Cubs at Cincinnati Reds odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Monday’s Chicago Cubs at Cincinnati Reds sports betting odds and lines, with MLB betting picks, tips and best bets.

The Chicago Cubs (2-1) visit the Cincinnati Reds (1-2) for the first game of a four-game series at Great American Ball Park Monday at 6:40 p.m. ET. We analyze the Cubs-Reds MLB betting odds and lines, with picks and best bets.

Sunday: The Cubs roughed up the Milwaukee Brewers 9-1 to take 2 of 3 at home – Chicago won the opener. The Reds lost 3-2 at home to the Detroit Tigers, surprisingly dropping 2 of 3. Cincy, which won the opener, was heavily favorited in all three games.

Cubs at Reds: Projected starting pitchers

LHP Jon Lester vs. LHP Wade Miley

Lester in 2019: 13-10, 4.46 ERA in 31 starts – yielded an NL-high 205 hits in 171 2/3 innings

  • 2019 vs. Reds: 0-1, 4.02 (7 ER, 15 2/3 IP) in 3 starts
  • Career vs. Reds: 7-2, 3.90 ERA (49 ER, 113 IP) in 19 starts

Miley in 2019 (Houston Astros): 14-6, 3.98 ERA in 33 starts

  • 2019 vs. Cubs: 0-1, 2.57 ERA (2 ER, 7 IP) in 1 start
  • Career vs. Cubs: 6-3, 3.92 ERA (28 ER, 64 1/3 IP) in 10 starts

Get some action on this game or any other matchup with an MLB bet at BetMGM in NJ, IN, CO and WV. Bet now!

Cubs at Reds: Key injuries

(List of injuries around the league)

Reds

  • C Tucker Barnhart (paternity leave) doubtful
  • 1B/DH Matt Davidson (COVID-19) out
  • 2B Mike Moustakas (illness) out
  • OF Nick Senzel (illness) questionable

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 6:40 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Cubs 5, Reds 4

Moneyline (ML)

The CUBS (-121) are the STRONGEST PLAY. Not only are the Reds (+110) at a disadvantage with cleanup hitter Moustakas on the injured list, but the bullpen has struggled, costing the Reds two wins vs. the Tigers. Cincy relievers surrendered 4 home runs over the weekend, including two by Michael Lorenzen (1 2/3 IP) and one by closer Raisel Iglesias (1 IP).

New to sports betting? A winning $10 bet on Chicago will return a profit of $8.26 – or every $1.21 bet on Chicago will profit $1 if it wins.

Run line/Against the spread (ATS)

I’m rolling the dice and backing the REDS (+1.5, -143). Despite losing his one start against the Cubs (-1.5, +120) last year, Miley wasn’t awful. He struck out 9 and allowed just 2 runs over 7 innings of an Astros’ 2-1 loss in late May.

I know this seems to contradict my ML PLAY above, but I am predicting a 5-4 victory for the Cubs, which would make both plays winners. If you don’t want to risk betting on both a Cubs W and the Reds staying within one run, it’s understandable – just stick with the STRONGEST PLAY of CUBS’ ML.

Over/Under (O/U)

AVOID. The O/U is 10 with -110 odds on both sides. I’d lean toward the Under, but I’m taking a PASS.

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 4-2
2020 overall record 38-26-1
Strongest plays 22-11

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Minnesota Twins vs. Chicago Cubs, MLB Preseason Live Stream, Lineups, TV Channel, Start Time

Minnesota will travel to Chicago to take on the Cubs on Wednesday Night Baseball at Wrigley Field.

Major League Baseball is back this week with a few final preseason games on television before Opening Day on Thursday, July 23rd.

We have the Minnesota Twins traveling to the north side of Chicago to take on the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley on Wednesday night. The Twins will look to continue their momentum of last year while the Cubs will look for some more offense going into the opening weekend.

Minnesota Twins (-101) vs. Chicago Cubs (-114)

  • When: Tuesday, July 21
  • Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
  • TV Channel: MLB Network
  • Live Stream: fuboTV (watch for free)

Pitching: Homer Bailey vs. Jon Lester

Homer Bailey will take the mound tonight for Minnesota and the Cubs will bring in Jon Lester to counter. If these clubs can get some offense going, expect to see a high scoring game with both these pitches giving up a combined 47 homers last season.

Prediction: I’d lay the money with the Cubs here being at home, they had a rough couple of games against their southside rivals but wouldn’t expect them to lose three in a row, especially with the shortened season where every game counts. Cubs (-114). 

Tomorrow is Opening Day, don’t forget to check out the 2020 MLB Opening Day odds.

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