GAME:  #967 Reds @ #968 Cubs
DATE:    9/8/2020 – 8:15 pm EST
ODDS:   Reds -105  / Cubs -105
O/U:       7.5

The Chicago Cubs (24-18) host the Cincinnati Reds (18-23) at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois. The Cubs are coming off a 5 game series against the Cardinals which they only won 2 games while the Reds are coming off a 4 games series with Pittsburgh which they split 2-2.  These teams have met 7 times this season with the Cubs leading 4-3. 

CINCINNATI REDS

The Reds have right-hander Tyler Mahle listed as the probable pitcher for game 1 at Wrigley. Mahle is 1-1 with a 3.90 ERA and a 1.07 WHIP. Mahle has pitched in 30 innings and has given up 20 hits, 13 runs, 6 home runs, 12 walks, and has 35 strikeouts on the season. The Reds have a career team batting average of .148 against the Cubs’ Alec Mills. Castellanos has 3 hits in 3 at-bats however the rest of the team has only 5 hits in 51 at-bats. 

CHICAGO CUBS

The Cubs have right-hander Alec Mills getting the start today. Mills is 3-3 with a 5.50 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP. Mills has pitched in 37.2 innings and has allowed 35 hits, 23 runs, 8 home runs, 11 walks, and has 26 K’s this season. The Cubs have a career batting average of .252 against Tyler Mahle with Kipnis, Schwarber, and Martinez hitting over .300. 

BATTER VS PITCHER  (dailybaseballdata.com)
TRENDS (covers.com) 

HEAD TO HEAD

• Over is 6-1 in the last 7 meetings.
• Under is 5-1 in the last 6 meetings in Chicago.
• The Reds are 16-35 in the last 51 meetings in Chicago.

REDS VS CUBS PREDICTION

The Cubs have done well against the Reds this season so they will be looking forward to this matchup after getting hammered by the Cardinals. The Wind is currently blowing IN around 20 MPH with chances of rain. With Mills on the mound this will be beneficial because when he makes a rare mistake, it leads to home runs. Mills hasn’t thrown well in his last few games but he has a solid track record against the Reds hitters holding them to a .148. In the last 5 games, the Cubs are hitting righties at .258 while the Reds are hitting righties at only .163 in their last 5.  The Bookie is rolling with the Cubs while the public is on the Cubs but the Sharps are on the Reds with the thought they will get to Mills based on his last few games.

The Bookie:         Cubs -105
Fade the Public:  Reds
Sharp Action:      Reds

1.05 Units to win 1 Unit on:  (#968)  Cubs -105