The Cincinnati Reds and the Chicago Cubs meet Saturday in MLB action from Wrigley Field. Here’s a Chicago Cubs vs Cincinnati Reds prediction. This will be the second installment in a three-game series. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for the game.
Cincinnati Reds Betting Preview
The Reds took on the St. Louis Cardinals in their last series. Cincinnati managed a 3-1 win in the Monday opener of that set, then took losses 7-1 and 5-3 in the next pair. On Friday versus the Cubs, the Reds eked out a 5-4 victory. Graham Ashcraft went 4.2 innings in the start with three earned on five hits and two walks.
For the Saturday starter role, the Reds will send out Hunter Greene. This year Greene is 3-2 with a 3.06 ERA in 11 starts. He’s got 71 Ks in 64.2 innings total. Greene is 12-22 with a 4.29 ERA in 57 career starts.
Chicago Cubs Betting Preview
Over on the Cubs’ side, they played four games versus the Milwaukee Brewers this week. Chicago only managed a win 6-3 in Tuesday’s game. Otherwise it was losses 5-1, 10-6 and 6-4. On Friday the Cubs had an early lead but couldn’t do quite enough on eight team hits. Starter Javier Assad put up 5.1 innings with two earned on five hits and three walks.
It’ll be Justin Steele in the starting pitcher role for the Cubs on Saturday. So far this year Steele is 0-2 with a 4.45 ERA in six starts. Steele has 31 Ks in 32.1 innings total. Over his career Steele is 24-18 with a 3.40 ERA in 80 games (69 starts).
Reds vs Cubs Injury Notes
Cubs RP Colten Brewer (back) was set to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Iowa on Friday.
Total Runs Facts
- Eight of the last nine games between the Reds and Cubs at Wrigley Field have gone OVER the total runs line.
- Seven of the Reds’ last eight night games against NL Central opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
- The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Cubs’ last seven home games.
- The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Reds’ last three games.
Chicago Cubs Player Prop Facts
- Nick Madrigal has recorded a Single in each of his last nine appearances in night games against NL Central teams that held a losing record.
- Ian Happ has hit a home run in each of the Cubs’ last two games as favorites.
- Cody Bellinger has recorded at least one Double in five of his last six appearances with the Cubs as home favorites against NL Central opponents.
- Nick Madrigal has recorded at least one total base in each of his last 11 appearances in night games against NL Central teams that held a losing record.
- Ian Happ has recorded at least one RBI in six of the Cubs’ last seven games as favorites against the Reds.
- Ian Happ has scored at least one run in eight of the Cubs’ last nine night games against NL Central opponents that held a losing record.
- Justin Steele has recorded six or more strikeouts in 10 of his last 11 appearances with the Cubs as home favorites.
- Nick Madrigal has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 11 appearances in night games against NL Central teams that held a losing record.
Cincinnati Reds Player Prop Facts
- Hunter Greene has recorded eight or more strikeouts in each of his last five appearances with the Reds as underdogs against NL Central opponents.
- Hunter Greene has recorded a win in three of his last four appearances with the Reds as underdogs.
- Jonathan India has recorded at least one hit in each of his 15 previous Saturday night appearances against teams that held a losing record.
- Jonathan India has recorded at least one Single in 14 of his 15 previous Saturday night appearances against teams that held a losing record.
- Spencer Steer has recorded a Double in four of the Reds’ last five night games against NL Central opponents that held a losing record.
- Jonathan India has recorded at least one total base in each of his 15 previous Saturday night appearances against teams that held a losing record.
- Santiago Espinal has hit a home run in each of the Reds’ last two road games against opponents that held a losing record.
- TJ Friedl has recorded an RBI in four of his last five appearances with the Reds as road underdogs.
- Spencer Steer has scored at least one run in each of his last nine appearances at Wrigley Field.
Chicago Cubs vs Cincinnati Reds Prediction
I’ll try the Reds. Greene is pitching well right now. Over his last three starts Greene is 2-0 with five earned runs in 19.1 innings on 14 hits and four walks. He should be able to deliver a quality outing on Saturday. As for Steele, he’s coming off 7.0 clean frames in his last start but gave up nine earned runs in 12.0 innings prior to that.
On Friday the Reds had a very solid bullpen outing with 4.1 innings, one earned, three hits and two walks. Cincinnati spread the offense around with some clutch performances as well. I like the Reds to keep it going on Saturday, but it should be another close game.