Cubs vs. Reds Prediction
Following a doubleheader split Saturday, the Chicago Cubs will look to win their third game in the four-game set at the Cincinnati Reds this afternoon. Will favored Chicago be the right pick for bettors in the series finale?
Game Snapshot
903 Chicago Cubs at 904 Cincinnati Reds
Sunday, May 20, 2018
Great American Ballpark at 1:10PM ET
TV: WGN (CHI)
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Public Betting Information
According to oddsmakers, the Cubs are a -144 favorite to win on the moneyline. The Reds are a +134 underdog, while the total sits at 9 runs. As of Sunday morning, 77 percent of public bets are pouring in on visiting Chicago. Check out our MLB Public Betting Page for the latest info.
Baez, Garrett spark bench-clearing near-brawl
After Cubs second baseman Javier Baez struck out facing Reds left-handed reliever Amir Garrett in the first game of the doubleheader Saturday afternoon, words were exchanged and it sparked a bench-clearing incident that was stopped short of anything physical happening. Cincinnati won the opener 5-4 in 11 innings on a Billy Hamilton walk-off walk, while Chicago responded with a 10-0 blowout win in the nightcap.
Tyler Mahle (3-5, 4.34 ERA) will start today for the Reds.
Quintana dazzles in second game
After the Cubs lost a close one in extra innings, they needed a big start at night and received one from left Jose Quintana. He threw seven one-hit innings in the 10-0 win, striking out seven and walking four while not allowing a run. Ben Zobrist helped spark the offense as he was 2-for-4 and scored three runs, while Tommy La Stella added three hits. Jason Heyward was 2-for-4 with a triple, a run and four RBIs.
Yu Darvish (0-3, 5.56 ERA) starts today’s game for Chicago.
MLB Betting Odds
Chicago
The under is 16-4-3 in the last 23 Chicago games on Sunday. The Cubs are 45-19 in the last 64 meetings.
Cincinnati
The Reds are 18-41 in their last 59 games overall. Cincinnati is 7-23 in its last 30 home games.
Prediction:
I don’t trust Darvish right now as something is off with his mechanics and he is showing signs of age at 31. Mahle has been up and down, but when he is going good he can shut down good offenses. I’m taking the home underdog here to earn the series split.
MLB DAILY PREDICTION: CINCINNATI REDS +134