Reds vs. Cubs Pick
The Cincinnati Reds and playoff-bound host Chicago Cubs continue their series Saturday at 4:05PM EST.
The Cubs are set as a -194 favorite to win on the moneyline according to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv. The Reds are a +167 underdog and the over-under is 8.
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The Reds will start Jackson Stephens (2.0, 3.86 ERA) on the mound, while the Cubs are going with Jon Lester (12-8, 4.46). Stephens has a 1.00 WHIP with 16 strikeouts in 21 innings. He gave up one earned run on two hits with three strikeouts and two walks over six innings in a 5-4 home loss to the Red Sox his last start. Lester carries a 1.34 WHIP with 173 strikeouts in 175 2/3 innings. He surrendered one earned run on five hits with four strikeouts and two walks in six innings during a 10-2 win at the Cardinals his last time out. Lester has a 4.50 ERA in 17 home starts.
Cincinnati enters at 67-93 overall and 28-51 on the road, while Chicago is 91-69 and 47-32 at home. The Cubs have won six of the last 10 meetings and the total has gone over six times.
Chicago won the series opener 5-4 as Ian Happ was 2-for-4 with a home run, two runs and three RBIs. Tommy La Stella was 2-for-4 with a run. Brian Duensing picked up the win in relief and Justin Grimm earned the save. Joey Votto was 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI for the Reds. Michael Lorenzen took the loss in relief.
The Cubs rested some more players Friday who requested a second day off after clinching the NL Central Wednesday night. On Saturday, Chicago should be back to full strength as it tunes up for the postseason. Lester looked as strong his last start as he has in a while and the Reds are in a freefall as they count down the last couple days of their season.
MLB DAILY PREDICTION: CHICAGO CUBS -194