The Cincinnati Reds and Chicago Cubs are set to face off once again at Wrigley Field on Saturday, June 1, following the Reds victory in the series opener on Friday. The Reds win has undoubtedly shifted the momentum in their favor, and they ll be looking to carry that confidence into the second game of the series.
However, despite Cincinnati s win in the series opener, oddsmakers are siding with the Cubs at home. Chicago will be turning to Justin Steele on the mound, whose advanced metrics suggest some incoming positive regression. The Reds, meanwhile, will be handing the ball off to stud right-hander Hunter Greene.
Here is our Cincinnati Reds vs Chicago Cubs prediction, along with betting odds and player props to bet.
Cincinnati Reds vs Chicago Cubs Prediction
The Chicago Cubs are favored at home on Saturday despite a recent rough stretch of play. Chicago has lost three games in a row and finished with a 10-18 record in May. They have lost 11 of their last 14 games.
The Reds, on the other hand, beat this Cubs team by a 5-4 score on Friday night to kick off this weekend series. Craig Counsell s team finished the month of May with a 9-18 record, reeling off five straight victories to close out the month.
Strong start to the series‼️
Cincinnati Reds (@Reds)
With Greene on the mound for Cincinnati, we re targeting the under in this game. The left-hander has been on a roll over his past eight starts, posting a 3-1 record with a 2.44 ERA and 1.13 WHIP in that span.
Greene has had Chicago s number lately, going 2-1 against them in the past three meetings with an excellent 1.69 ERA and 0.56 WHIP. In contrast, Chicago starting pitcher Steele is rocking a solid 1.05 WHIP and appears due for some positive regression with his 0-2 start.
Both teams rank in the bottom half of the league in hits per game, and we don t trust either bullpen against these starting pitchers. Furthermore, 7 mph winds are in the forecast at Wrigley Field tonight. With the under on a 4-0-1 run in Greene s pitching starts, bet on another low-scoring affair tonight.
CIN vs CHI Pick:
Under 7.5 (-120)