The Chicago Cubs (31-21) and Cincinnati Reds (26-27) meet Sunday as they close out a 3-game series on the banks of the Ohio River. First pitch from Great American Ball Park is slated for 1:40 p.m. EDT (MLB Network). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s MLB odds around the Cubs vs. Reds odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Tied 1-1
Chicago won the series opener Friday 13-6, but then had a 3-game win streak snapped with a 6-4 loss Saturday. The Reds stopped a 3-game skid with Saturday’s triumph. SS Elly De La Cruz homered and drove in 4 runs Saturday.
The Cubs lead the NL Central Division by 2 games over the St. Louis Cardinals with the Reds in third place, 5 1/2 games back.
Cubs at Reds projected starters
RHP Ben Brown vs. LHP Nick Lodolo
Brown (3-3, 5.44 ERA) is making his 11th start. He has a 1.60 WHIP, 3.1 BB/9 and 11.3 K/9 in 46 1/3 innings.
Last outing: No-decision, 4 2/3 IP, 6 ER, 7 H, 2 BB, 0 K in 8-7 loss at Miami Marlins MondayCareer vs. Reds: 0-2, 8.00 ERA (9 IP, 8 ER), 9 H, 2 BB, 9 K in 2 starts
Lodolo (4-4, 3.22 ERA) is lined up for his 11th start. He has a 1.10 WHIP, 1.5 BB/9 and 7.5 K/9 through 58 2/3 IP.
Last outing: Win, 6 IP, 1 ER, 4 H, 0 BB, 1 K in 7-1 win at Pittsburgh Pirates MondayCareer vs. Cubs: 2-2, 5.27 ERA (27.1 IP, 16 ER), 31 H, 12 BB, 27 K in 5 startsOver the last 3 years has posted a 6.68 ERA at home vs a 2.70 mark on the road
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Cubs at Reds odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:24 a.m. ET.
Moneyline (ML): Cubs -120 (bet $120 to win $100) | Reds +100 (bet $100 to win $100)Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Cubs -1.5 (+140) | Reds +1.5 (-170)Over/Under (O/U): 9 (O: -110 | U: -110)Cubs at Reds picks and predictionsPrediction
Cubs 5, Reds 3
Chicago has won 4 of the last 6 series meetings. The Cubs have outscored the Reds 34-19 over that stretch.
Peg the starters’ ERAs as being a tad misleading, helping on the Brown side and hurting on the Lodolo side. Brown has been undone by a .388 batting average on balls in play. Per ESPN, current Chicago batters own an aggregate .936 OPS against Lodolo. And the Cubs own a top-5 OPS against left-handers (.835 OPS).
BACK CHICAGO (-120).
No interest. AVOID.
The Over has hit the first 2 games, but look for the Under to push back on this getaway Sunday.
Unders have gone 4-1-1 across the last 6 Chicago series finales. And they have gone 5-1 in Cincy’s last 6 series enders.
TAKE THE UNDER 9 (-110).
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