Cubs vs. Reds Play
Are the Chicago Cubs and host Cincinnati Reds going to reach the total Thursday in the finale of a four-game series? First pitch is at 7:10PM EST.
According to oddsmakers at BetDSI, the Cubs have been set as a -176 favorite to win on the moneyline. The Reds are a +151 underdog, while the over-under is +151.
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Jake Arrieta (13-8, 3.63 ERA) draws the start for the Cubs, while the Reds will counter with Sal Ramano (3-5, 5.32). Arrieta has allowed no more than two earned runs in his last seven starts, with Chicago winning five of those games. He has a 1.20 WHIP with 141 strikeouts in 146 1/3 innings. Arrieta’s road ERA is 3.86 in 16 starts. Romano has a 1.58 WHIP and has struggled in his first nine MLB starts, but is coming off a strong one-run over seven innings performance in a 5-3 win at Atlanta. He has struck out 37 in 45 2/3 innings, while his home ERA is 6.63 in 19 innings.
Chicago is 68-57 on the season and 34-29 on the road, while Cincinnati is 53-74 and 29-33 at home. The Cubs have won five in a row including the last two over the Reds, winning Wednesday’s game 9-3.
In Wednesday’s game, the Chicago offense exploded for a second straight day as the score was 9-0 in the fourth inning. Kyle Schwarber keyed the charge with a three-run homer, while Tommy La Stella also homered and had three RBIs. Jon Jay contributed two hits and scored two runs, while Jason Heyward added two hits and two RBIs. Mike Montgomery threw six shuout innings to get the win. Joey Votto, Eugenio Suarez and Scott Schebler all hit solo home runs in the ninth inning for the Reds. Asher Wojciechowski gave up eight runs (seven earned) over three innings to take the loss.
Arrieta has been outstanding during the second half of the season and should continue that trend versus the Reds. Romano comes in with some confidence after dominating the Braves on the road. This series is due for the bats to cool down.
MLB DAILY PREDICTION: CUBS/REDS UNDER 9.5