The Cubs have started the season off on the right foot having won four of their first six after dropping a game yesterday to the Reds. They hold a one-game lead over the Brewers in the Central Division. They will be going for their second straight series win over a division opponent. The Cubs' bats have started hot as they are hitting .250 as a team which ranks eighth in the league and their 31 runs rank third. The offense is led by Willson Contreras with a .357 batting average. Anthony Rizzo has provided the power with 2 home runs and Ian Happ has driven in five. Yu Darvish will make his second start of the season. He is 0-1 with a 6.75 ERA. In his first start, he was not sharp allowing six hits and three earned runs in four innings.

The Reds have not gotten off to the start they haad hoped for and they had dropped four in a row before last nights win. The Reds have struggled at the plate hitting just .202 as a team but despite that, they have been able to score and rank ninth in the league. As always, the Reds offense is once again led by Joey Votto with a 333 batting average, to go along with two home runs and five RBI. Louis Castillo will get the start for the Reds. He is 0-1 with a 1.50 ERA. In his first start, he gave up six hits and one earned run and struck out 11 batters in six innings.

The Cubs are the pick. The Reds have struggled early in the season because their pitching staff hasn’t played well. They have a 5.00 ERA through five games and will have a hard time slowing down the Cubs, who have scored 31 runs so far and at least eight runs in each of their last three games. Even though Darvish gave up three runs in his last start, he should be able to slow down the Reds lineup, which has a dismal .202 batting average.

Both teams can put up runs. Both pitchers can be lights out on a good day but both pens have not been great. I like this game to go over the total.

Play on the OVER.