Chicago Cubs (18-24) vs. Cincinnati Reds (12-30)
May 26, 2022 12:35 pm EDT
The Line: Cincinnati Reds +120 / Chicago Cubs -156; Over/Under: -8.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Chicago Cubs and the Cincinnati Reds meet Thursday in MLB action from Great American Ball Park. This will be the finale in a four-game series this week. Chicago took the first two installments, then on Wednesday in game three Cincinnati eked out a one-run win. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.
Chicago didn’t have a ton of trouble in the first two games of this series. The Cubs took a 7-4 win on Monday and an 11-4 victory Tuesday. In the Wednesday matchup, Chicago gave up three runs in the third on the way to a 4-3 loss. Kyle Hendricks managed 4.0 innings in the start with four earned, five hits and a walk.
For the starter gig in the game four finale the Cubs are going with Justin Steele. Across his eight starts this year Steele is 1-4 with a 3.82 ERA. In 33.0 innings he’s got 14 earned on 30 hits, 17 walks and 38 Ks.
Over on the Reds’ side, they coughed up five runs in the fifth inning and 15 hits total in the Tuesday loss. On Wednesday, Cincinnati notched seven hits in the comeback win. Starter Luis Castillo logged 5.0 innings with two earned on four hits and one walk.
Hunter Greene will take the mound for the Reds on Thursday. In eight starts this season Greene is 1-6 with a 5.49 ERA. In 39.1 innings he’s posted 36 hits, 24 earned, 22 walks and 50 Ks.
The Cubs are 4-9 in their last 13 Thursday games and 3-7 in their last 10 in game four of a series. The under is 4-0-1 in Chicago’s last five Thursday games.
Meanwhile, the Reds are 6-2 in their last eight in game four of a series and 9-4 in their last 13 Thursday games. Cincinnati is 7-19 in their last 26 versus a lefty starter.
PICK: I have to stay with the Cubs here. Steele has had some spotty starts this season but lately he’s doing well. In his last pair combined Steele has just one earned on four hits and four walks in 11.0 innings. He still doesn’t have a win in that stretch, though. As for Greene, he’s pitching well himself with just four earned in his last 18.2 innings of work. Greene is 0-2 in that time, so this one’s going to come down to offense. I think Chicago has the advantage in that area. Should be a fun starter matchup regardless.
