Cubs vs Reds Prediction, Pick and Preview, August 16: MLB

Odds

Time	7:10 p.m. EST
Cubs money line	+210
Cubs run line	+1.5 (+100)
Reds money line	-250
Reds run line	-1.5 (-118)
Over / under	9.0 (-120)

 

Key stats

	Cubs	Reds
Record	52-68	64-55
Road / home record	21-40	31-27
Last 10 record	0-10	6-4
Streak	L11	W1
Over / under record	52-61-7	64-49-6
Runs / game	4.18	5.03
Runs allowed / game	4.87	4.84

 

Preview

The Cubs travel to Cincinnati to take on the Reds Monday night in the first game of a three game series.  The loveable losers have just been losers lately, dropping their last 11.  The Reds have won 3 of 4 and took 2 of 3 vs the Phillies.

The Cubs have been putting some runs on the board, but haven't been able to win their games with poor pitching.  They've averaged 3.5 runs in their 11 game losing streak.

The Reds bats have been humming, averaging 6.4 runs in their last 5 games.  They laid an egg Sunday night, losing 6-1, but bounced back with a 7-4 win yesterday.

Pitching matchup

Cubs

Justin Steele (2-1, 2.95 ERA) makes his second start for the Cubs in his MLB season debut.  The reliever turned starter last week at home vs the Brewers.  He went 5.0 innings, giving up 5 hits, 1 walk and 3 earned runs.  The Reds have seen Steele 12 times, getting 3 hits (.250 AVG) and 2 home runs.

Reds

Wade Miley (9-4, 3.00 ERA) takes the mound for the Reds.  The veteran has pitched well this season after a 5.65 ERA 2020.  He's really only had 3 bad starts in his 21 starts this season, one of which came last time out vs the Braves.  He went 5.0 innings, giving up 5 hits, 3 walks and 5 earned runs.  Before that, he had pitched 6 straight games giving up no more than 3 earned runs and averaging 7 innings.  He hasn't given up a homer to the Cubs in 65 at bats, with the Cubs getting 14 hits in those at bats (.215 AVG).

Prediction

Reds batters are humming at the plate, averaging over 6 runs in their last 5 games.  The veteran Miley takes on the rookie Steele, who has been moved up from reliever to starter.  He wasn't too bad in his first start, but we think the Reds will be too much for him and they easily take the first game of this series.

PICK: Reds -1.5 (-118)

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