The Chicago Cubs and the Cincinnati Reds meet Tuesday in MLB action from Great American Ball Park. This will be the second installment in a four-game series this week. In the Monday opener, the Cubs managed a three-run victory. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.
Chicago played the Diamondbacks over the weekend, losing the first three before a Sunday victory. On Monday versus the Reds, the Cubs notched four runs in the fourth inning on the way to a 7-4 win. Starter Drew Smyly put up 5.2 innings with three earned on four hits and two walks.
Starter for the Cubs on Tuesday will be Marcus Stroman. In his six starts this year Stroman is 1-4 with a 4.88 ERA. In 31.1 innings total he’s got 29 hits, 17 earned runs, seven walks and 28 Ks.
Over on the Reds’ side, they lost their first two games to the Blue Jays over the weekend, but likewise staved off a sweep with a Sunday win. On Monday, Cincinnati fought back to within one run but couldn’t complete the comeback. Vladimir Gutierrez managed 4.0 innings in the start with four earned on four hits and two walks.
The Reds are sending out Tyler Mahle in the start Tuesday. In nine starts so far Mahle is 2-4 with a 5.23 ERA. Over his 43.0 innings Mahle has 38 hits, 25 earned, 20 walks and 44 Ks.
The Cubs are 8-18 in their last 26 versus a right-handed starter and 3-9 in their last 12 in game two of a series. Chicago is 1-4 in the last five Tuesday games.
Meanwhile, the Reds are 7-19 in their last 26 Tuesday games and 10-26 in their last 36 overall. Cincinnati is 6-23 in their last 29 in game two of a series.
PICK: I’m going to try the Reds. Mahle has been pretty solid over his last three starts. In those games he’s got 17.1 combined innings with five earned on eight hits and six walks. As for Stroman, he’s doing well also with four earned in 18.0 innings over his last three starts. This one is looking like a lower-scoring game—at least initially—and if the Reds can get some offense going I think they’ve got a good shot at pulling out the victory.