Cubs vs. Reds Prediction
Will the Cubs rebound from their loss last night and hand the Reds defeat today at 4:10PM ET?
According to oddsmakers from online sports book Bovada.lv, the Cubs are -125 money line favorites to knock off the Reds, who have odds of +104 to pull off the upset at home. With Eddie Butler set to face Jackson Stephens in the pitching matchup, the over/under currently sits at 11 runs.
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From Rotoworld: Butler blanked the Nationals for five innings to earn a victory on Monday. Butler might have had a chance to go six innings for the first time since his Cubs debut on May 12 — he threw just 64 pitches — but his spot came up with two men on in a 1-0 game in the top of the sixth and the decision was made to hit for him. It didn’t work out, but it was still probably the right call in such a tight game. Butler has a 3.71 ERA while throwing a total of 43 2/3 innings in his nine starts for the Cubs. It’s earned him four wins to date.
Stephens will be called up to start Saturday against the Cubs. The Reds need someone to fill in for Brandon Finnegan, who landed on the DL with a strained shoulder earlier this week. Stephens spent a few days with the Reds earlier this month but didn’t appear in any games. He’s compiled a 4.97 ERA in 15 outings (14 starts) for Triple-A Louisville this season. Saturday will mark the right-hander’s major league debut
Bet Today’s Cubs vs. Reds Game
OUR PREDICTION: The Cubs have won eight of their last nine games coming off a loss and are 100-48 in their last 149 divisional matchups. Despite losing last night to the Reds, they’re also 14-4 in their last 18 games in Cincinnati and 38-14 in their last 52 games in this series. The Reds, meanwhile, are 1-4 in their last five games coming off a win and 5-15 in their last 20 games despite winning last night.
SATURDAY MLB PREDICTION: CHICAGO CUBS -125