PREMIUM
3-pk
(MLB) Chi Cubs vs. Cincinnati,
Money Line: -175.00 Chi Cubs (Away)
Result: Win
Money Line: -175.00 Chi Cubs (Away)
Result: Win
The set-up: Cincinnati opened 3-15 and fired manager Bryan Price. However, they have played much better under interim manager Jim Riggleman, going 12-14. The Reds had won six straight before dropping the first two of three at San Francisco, before winning 6-2 on Wednesday (Thursday was an off day).Cincinnati has gotten excellent pitching of late, allowing three or fewer runs in seven of its last nine contests. The Cubs were rained out in their series finale at Atlanta and 22-18 Chicago has been streaky as of late. with two five-game winning streaks sandwiched around a five-game skid before dropping three of its last four. However, Cincinnati has been a good place to play for the Chicago Cubs in recent years. The Cubs hope to continue that trend when they open a four-game road series against the Reds on Friday, as the Cubs are 20-9 at Great American Ball Park since the start of the 2015 season.
The pitching matchup: Chicago lefty Jon Lester (3-1, 2.66 ERA) takes the mound and will be opposed by Cincy's Homer Bailey (1-5, 5.59 ERA). Lester has allowed two or fewer runs in five of his eight starts, but he's had difficulty getting through the sixth inning and has walked at least three batters in five of his outings. Lester is 5-1 with a 4.27 ERA in 13 starts against the Reds, including a 2-1 mark and 3.66 ERA in six outings at Great American Ball Park. Bailey is coming off his first win of the season, despite allowing a season-high 10 hits over five innings Saturday at the Dodgers (Reds won 5-3). Bailey posted quality starts in three of his first four outings to start the season but hasn't had one in five starts since. Bailey is 8-3 with a 4.53 ERA in 18 starts against the Cubs.
The pick: Cincinnati is playing better since replacing its manager but the Reds still own the National League's worst record at 15-29 (the Reds are 11 1/2 games behind in the division race). Sure, the Cubs have been streaky, but while they are fourth in the five-team division, they are just 2 1/2 games out of first place. Lester vs. Bailey give Chicago a solid edge, as Bailey continues to struggle, with a 5.59 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and a .285 opponent batting average. What's more, he's allowed an alarming 12 HRs in 48 1/3 innings. Make the Cubs an 8* play.
The pitching matchup: Chicago lefty Jon Lester (3-1, 2.66 ERA) takes the mound and will be opposed by Cincy's Homer Bailey (1-5, 5.59 ERA). Lester has allowed two or fewer runs in five of his eight starts, but he's had difficulty getting through the sixth inning and has walked at least three batters in five of his outings. Lester is 5-1 with a 4.27 ERA in 13 starts against the Reds, including a 2-1 mark and 3.66 ERA in six outings at Great American Ball Park. Bailey is coming off his first win of the season, despite allowing a season-high 10 hits over five innings Saturday at the Dodgers (Reds won 5-3). Bailey posted quality starts in three of his first four outings to start the season but hasn't had one in five starts since. Bailey is 8-3 with a 4.53 ERA in 18 starts against the Cubs.
The pick: Cincinnati is playing better since replacing its manager but the Reds still own the National League's worst record at 15-29 (the Reds are 11 1/2 games behind in the division race). Sure, the Cubs have been streaky, but while they are fourth in the five-team division, they are just 2 1/2 games out of first place. Lester vs. Bailey give Chicago a solid edge, as Bailey continues to struggle, with a 5.59 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and a .285 opponent batting average. What's more, he's allowed an alarming 12 HRs in 48 1/3 innings. Make the Cubs an 8* play.
