Reds vs. Cubs Thursday Prediction
The Chicago Cubs’ offense finally came alive on Wednesday night in Detroit. Will they carry that momentum into Thursday night when they open a new series against their National League Central rivals the Cincinnati Reds at 8:05 p.m. ET?
Game Snapshot & Odds
909 Cincinnati Reds (+205) at 910 Chicago Cubs (-225)
Thursday, August 23, 2018
8:05 p.m. ET, Wrigley Field
TV: CIN (FSO); CHC (CSNC)
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Public Betting Trends
According to oddsmakers from online sports book BetNow.eu, the Cubs as a -225 favorite. As of this writing, 63% of the betting tickets wagered at online sportsbooks are on the Cubs to beat the Reds on the moneyline. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our MLB Public Betting Page for updated figures on this game.
Reds’ DeScalfani allows one run in 7 2/3 innings vs. Giants
Anthony DeSclafani gave up one run through 7 2/3 innings and did not factor into the decision against the Giants on Friday. He tossed an even 100 pitches, 66 for strikes, while striking out five batters against one walk. The only run he allowed was driven in by Andrew McCutchen in the third inning. The Reds couldn’t provide DeSclafani with much run support — it took them until the 11th inning to score their second run of the game. His record holds at 6-3 with a 4.12 ERA in 13 starts. He missed all of last season and the first several weeks of this year while recovering from elbow and oblique injuries.
Cubs’ Hamels blanks Pirates over seven innings in win
Cole Hamels spun seven scoreless frames as part of a 1-0 victory over the Pirates on Friday. Hamels’ excellent run with the Cubs continues. He scattered five hits — all of them singles — while walking two batters and striking out five. He got a lot of help from the double play ball, inducing five of them. He’s the first pitcher to get at least five double plays in a start since Luis Perdomo had six on August 28, 2016. Hamels now holds a 0.72 ERA and 25/6 K/BB ratio in 25 innings through four starts with Chicago. Fantasy owners need to keep running him out there for now. He has upcoming inviting matchups against the Tigers and Mets.
MLB Betting Trends
Cincinnati
The Reds are 4-0 in DeSclafani’s last four starts and are 4-1 in his last five road outings.
Chicago
The Cubs have won all four of Hamels’ last four starts and are 19-9 in their last 28 games played at Wrigley Field.
Prediction:
The under is 4-0 in DeScalfani’s last four road starts versus the Cubs, is 4-1 in his last five starts, and is 9-3-1 in his last 13 road outings versus an opponent with a winning record. On the other side, the under is 19-8 in their last 26 games, is 5-1 in their last five games versus a team with a losing record, and is 4-0 in their last four games against the rest of the National League Central.
The Pick: Reds/Cubs under