Chicago Cubs vs Cincinnati Reds Prediction 8-1-23 MLB Picks
The Reds and Cubs clash Tuesday in game 2 of an MLB series at Wrigley Field. Let’s preview this game and give out a pick and prediction.
Reds Betting Preview
The Reds look for another win after winning 9 of their last 12 games. The Reds have a 1.5 game lead in the NL Central. The Reds pitching staff is 25th in ERA (4.62), 25th in WHIP (1.41) and 25th in quality starts (31). The Reds' offense is 9th in runs per game (4.87), 15th in batting average (.252) and 18th in homers (120). Spencer Steer leads the Reds with 103 hits and 58 RBI, while Jonathan India and TJ Friedl have combined for 185 hits and 89 RBI. Ben Lively gets the ball, and he is 4-6 with a 3.76 ERA and 62 strikeouts this season. This will be Lively’s second career game against the Cubs.
Cincinnati Reds Team Facts
- The Reds have won each of their last four games as underdogs against the Cubs.
- The Reds have covered the run line in each of their last six night games against National League opponents.
- The Reds have led after 7 innings in three of their last four games as road underdogs.
- The Reds have led after 5 innings in each of their last six games against the Cubs.
- The Reds have led after 3 innings in three of their last four games as underdogs against National League opponents.
Cincinnati Reds Player Prop Facts
- Joey Votto has recorded two or more total bases in nine of his last 10 road appearances against the Cubs after playing the previous day.
- Joey Votto has hit at least one home run in six of his last 10 road appearances against the Cubs after playing the previous day.
- Joey Votto has recorded an RBI in each of his last four road appearances against the Cubs after playing the previous day.
- Joey Votto has scored at least one run in 10 of his last 11 road appearances against the Cubs after playing the previous day.
- Tyler Stephenson has recorded at least one hit in each of his last six appearances in night games.
Cubs Betting Preview
The Cubs look to rebound from back to back losses. The Cubs have dropped to 5 games back in the NL Central. The Cubs pitching staff is 12th in ERA (4.09), 12th in WHIP (1.27) and 6th in quality starts (47). The Cubs' offense is 7th in runs per game (4.90), 12th in batting average (.254) and 16th in homers (120). Nico Hoerner leads the Cubs with 114 hits and 57 RBI, while Dansby Swanson and Ian Happ have combined for 184 hits and 92 RBI. Justin Steele gets the ball, and he is 11-3 with a 2.87 ERA and 100 strikeouts this season. Steele is 1-3 with a 8.34 ERA and 27 strikeouts in his career against the Reds.
Chicago Cubs Team Facts
- The Cubs have lost seven of their last eight games as home favourites against NL Central opponents following a home loss.
- The Cubs have failed to cover the run line in each of their last eight games as home favourites against NL Central opponents following a home loss.
- The Cubs have trailed after 5 innings in seven of their last nine games as home favourites.
- The Cubs have trailed after 3 innings in each of their last six home games against National League opponents that held a winning record.
- The Cubs have trailed after 7 innings in each of their last five night games against National League opponents that held a winning record.
Chicago Cubs Player Prop Facts
- Dansby Swanson has hit at least one home run in two of the Cubs' last three games as favourites.
- Ian Happ has recorded at least one RBI in each of the Cubs' last six night games against NL Central opponents that held a winning record.
- Cody Bellinger has scored at least one run in each of his last eight appearances against NL Central opponents that held a winning record.
- Cody Bellinger has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 17 appearances against NL opponents that held a winning record.
- Yan Gomes has recorded at least one total base in each of the Cubs' last nine games.
- Justin Steele has recorded six or more strikeouts in four of his last five appearances with the Cubs as favourites.
- Justin Steele ranks T2nd in the league for Wins (11) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Chicago Cubs ranks 3rd in the league for walks this season (382).
- The Chicago Cubs ranks T3rd in the league for home runs allowed this season (111).
- The Cincinnati Reds ranks 1st in the league for steals this season (122).
- The Cincinnati Reds ranks T3rd in the league for triples this season (21).
Randy’s Pick
The Cubs have the edge at home with Justin Steele on the mound, a pitcher who has a 2.87 ERA and 1.12 WHIP. However, the Reds are the better team that's playing the better ball, and it's tough to turn down plus money in these spots. Ben Lively has also been respectable with his 3.76 ERA and 1.21 WHIP despite the smaller sample size. Give me the plus money with the hotter team.
