10* SUPER DOG on Cincinnati Reds.

The Chicago Cubs entered the season as the favorite to win the World Series, and they have not missed a beat so far starting the year with a 7-1 record. I think the Cincinnati Reds are looking good to record an upset and deny the Cubs to sweep this three-game series tonight though.

Here are my keys to the game:

1. Pitching - The Cubs hand the ball to Jason Hammel (0-0, 1.50) who is 1-1 with a 4.38 ERA in nine career games (eight starts) against the Reds. He has struggled with Brandon Phillips who is 6-for-19 in previous match-ups and Phillips has started the current season strong with seven hits in 18 at bats over the past five games. The Reds will counter with Raisel Iglesias (1-0, 2.31 ERA) and he held the Cubs to four runs over 12 2/3 innings in two meetings last season.

2. Batter vs. Pitcher - The current Cubs teams is a combined 7-for-42 (.167) with 14 strikeouts versus Iglesias, and a reliable batter like Jason Heyward is 0-for-6. The only Cubs player with multiple hits against Iglesies is Kyle Schwarber, whos is out for the year with a knee injury.

3. X-Factor - Hammel is coming off a quality start when he held the D'Backs to one run in six innings in his season-debut, but the Cubs are 0-5 in Hammels last five starts following a quality start in his last appearance.

Selection: This is a play on the Cincinnati Reds (10*)