In this article we will formulate a Reds vs Cubs prediction for this MLB game on Friday, September 19th at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati, Ohio. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup.
Cincinnati Reds Betting Preview
The Cincinnati Reds are 77-76 this year after they won game one by a score of 1-0 on Thursday night. Cincinnati scored the lone run in the fourth inning and were able to get the low scoring victory. The Reds recorded four hits in the game and they were led by Benson, who went 1-3 with one RBI in the win. Cincinnati started Greene, who allowed one hit and zero earned runs over 9.0 innings for the complete game shutout.
Prior to this series, the Reds won two out of three against the Cardinals, but lost all three against the Athletics before that. Cincinnati has won three of their last four games and they are third in the NL Central standings. The Cincinnati pitching staff has a 3.94 ERA with a 1.23 WHIP and a .235 opponent batting average, while their offense has scored 683 runs with a .245 batting average and a .316 on base percentage this season. Elly De La Cruz has led Cincinnati with 19 home runs and 82 RBIs, while Spencer Steer has added 18 home runs and 69 RBIs this year. The projected starting pitcher for Cincinnati is Nick Lodolo, who is 8-8 with a 3.30 ERA and a 1.04 WHIP over 144.2 innings pitched this year.
Chicago Cubs Betting Preview
The Chicago Cubs are 88-65 this season after they lost game one by a score of 1-0 on Thursday night. Chicago was awful at the plate for most of the game, but did get some great pitching in the loss. The Cubs recorded just one hit in the game and they were led by Suzuki, who went 1-3 in the loss. Chicago started Rea, who allowed four hits and one earned run over 7.0 innings for the loss, while Soroka finished the game.
Prior to this series, the Cubs won all three against the Pirates and two out of three against the Rays. Chicago has won seven of their last nine games and they are second in the NL Central standings. The Chicago pitching staff has a 3.80 ERA with a 1.18 WHIP and a .240 opponent batting average, while their offense has scored 743 runs with a .249 batting average and a .321 on base percentage this season. Seiya Suzuki has led Chicago with 27 home runs and 91 RBIs, while Pete Crow-Armstrong has added 29 home runs and 90 RBIs this year. The projected starting pitcher for Chicago is Shota Imanaga, who is 9-7 with a 3.29 ERA and a 0.95 WHIP over 134.0 innings pitched this season.
Why the Cubs will beat the Reds
- The Reds have lost each of their last four home games against NL Central opponents following a home win.
- The Cubs have won five of their last six road games.
- The Cubs have covered the run line in each of their last six road games.
- The Reds have failed to cover the run line in nine of their last 10 games at Great American Ball Park following a win.
- The Cubs have led after 3 innings in four of their last five night games against opponents that held a winning record.
- The Cubs have led after 5 innings in eight of their last 10 night games.
Total Runs Facts
- Each of the Cubs’ last nine night games against National League opponents have gone UNDER the total runs line.
- Seven of the Reds’ last eight games against National League opponents have gone UNDER the total runs line.
- The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the last six games between the Cubs and Reds.
- The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in seven of the Cubs’ last nine night games at Great American Ball Park.
Cincinnati Reds Player Prop Facts
- Austin Hays has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 11 appearances in night games.
- Spencer Steer has hit a home run in four of his last nine appearances against NL Central opponents.
- Nick Lodolo has recorded six or more strikeouts in each of his four previous home appearances against NL Central opponents that held a winning record.
Chicago Cubs Player Prop Facts
- Ian Happ has recorded at least one hit in each of the Cubs’ last seven road games against NL Central opponents that held a winning record.
- Ian Happ has hit a home run in each of the Cubs’ last three Friday games.
- Seiya Suzuki has recorded at least one Double in each of the Cubs’ last five road games against the Reds.
- Shota Imanaga has recorded six or more strikeouts in five of his last six appearances in night games against NL teams that held a winning record.
- Shota Imanaga has recorded a win in four of his last five road appearances against opponents that held a winning record.
Reds vs Cubs Prediction
Cincinnati was able to get a much needed win to start this series on Thursday, but they need to string some wins together to stay in the wild card race. The Reds are 41-34 at home this year, while the Cubs are 42-36 on the road. Chicago had their winning streak snapped on Thursday and they will turn to Imanaga, who has allowed three earned runs in four straight outings. Cincinnati is starting Lodolo, who has allowed 4+ earned runs in two of his last three. I would love to take the Reds at home in a must win spot, but they have been so inconsistent this year. Take the Cubs to get the win.