The Cincinnati Reds (26-48) face the Chicago Cubs (29-46) on the road in the rubber game of their 3-game series. First pitch Thursday is 8:05 p.m. ET at Wrigley Field. Let’s analyze Tipico Sportsbook‘s lines around the Reds vs. Cubs odds with MLB picks and predictions.
The season series is tied 3-3.
The Reds had their modest 2-game winning streak snapped with Wednesday’s 8-3 loss to the Cubs. They seek to finish their road trip 4-2.
The Cubs have alternated wins and losses for the last 8 games. A 2nd straight win would give them 2 consecutive series wins.
Reds at Cubs projected starters
RHP Graham Ashcraft vs. RHP Kyle Hendricks
Ashcraft (4-1, 3.27 ERA) makes his 8th start. He has a 1.09 WHIP, 1.5 BB/9 and 5.9 K/9 in 41 1/3 IP.
- Rookie allowed 10 runs in 9 2/3 innings in 2 starts before bouncing back in his last start with 8 IP, 2 R, 6 H, 0 BB and 8 K in Friday 4-2 win over San Francisco Giants.
- Has allowed 2 or fewer runs in 5 of his 7 starts.
Hendricks (3-6, 4.90 ERA) makes his 15th start. He has a 1.30 WHIP, 2.5 BB/9 and 6.6 K/9 in 75 1/3 IP.
- Picked up his first win since May 9 in his last start. He threw 7 1/3 scoreless innings, with 5 H, 1 BB and 6 K in Friday’s 3-0 win over the St. Louis Cardinals.
- Lost May 25 vs. the Reds, allowing 4 R, 5 H, 1 BB and 1 K in 4 IP of a 4-3 loss in Cincinnati.
Reds at Cubs 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 12:17 p.m. ET.
- Money line (ML): Reds +102 (bet $100 to win $102) | Cubs -125 (bet $125 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Reds +1.5 (-190) | Cubs -1.5 (+155)
- Over/Under (O/U): 10.5 (O: -105 | U: -120)
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Reds at Cubs picks and predictions
Prediction
Cubs 6, Reds 4
Money line
The Cubs are bad at home (14-26), but the Reds are bad on the road (14-25).
The Cubs are 7-7 with Hendricks on the mound and 4-4 at home.
The Reds have won 6 of Ashcraft’s 7 starts this season. However, he had 2 subpar starts in his last 3 appearances.
Take the CUBS (-125).
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Run line/Against the spread
Only 4 teams are worse than the Reds’ 33-41 ATS mark. The Cubs are 37-38 ATS overall. The Cubs are 17-23 ATS at home, while the Reds are 20-19 ATS on the road.
There has only been one 1-run game between the 2 teams this season.
Nine of the Cubs’ last 14 games have been won or lost by at least 2 runs.
This is not high confidence, but the value of this bet makes it worth the play. Take the CUBS -1.5 (+155).
Over/Under
Four of the 6 games between the 2 teams have had 11 or more runs.
Ten of Hendricks’ 14 starts and 3 of his last 4 have had 10 or fewer total runs.
Ashcraft has been involved in only 2 games with more than 10 runs.
Take UNDER 10.5 (-120).
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