Mason Folz's MLB Best Bet
(MLB) Chi Cubs vs. Cincinnati,
Money Line: -115.00 Cincinnati (Home)
Result: Loss
I will be riding with the Cincinnati Reds at home against the Cubs in this matchup. Chicago is scoring the 21st least amount of runs per game and they are only hitting .244 as a team. They have also struggled on the road this season, as they are (22-31). They will continue to struggle at the plate in this matchup, as the Reds will be starting one of their best pitchers on the mound. Graham Ashcraft will be on the mound for Cincinnati, as he is (5-2) with a 3.94 ERA and a 1.31 WHIP. He has been great at home though, as he is (3-1) with a 3.46 ERA. He will keep the Cubs off the base paths, as they won’t score enough runs to keep this game close. The Reds have also won four of Ashcraft’s last five starts. They are playing great when he is on the mound, as he completely shut down the Brewers and the Marlins in his last two starts. He pitched for a combined 14 inning in those two games, but only allowed one earned run. He has it rolling right now, and the Cubs won’t have success against him in this one. Cincinnati has also been better at the plate as of late, as they are now averaging 4.32 runs scored per game and they will be going up against Adrian Sampson in this game. He is currently (0-3) with a 3.83 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP. But, in his last start, he lost to the Marlins, as he has not been good on the road this season. He is (0-1) with a 4.30 ERA. He doesn’t have it rolling, as the Reds will be able to outscore the Cubs in this one. The Cubs barely won the first game of this series, as they had the advantage on the mound. Now the tables have turned, and the Reds have the advantage. The Reds will make this a series and win this game. Take them, Money Line.