The Chicago Cubs (88-64) visit the Cincinnati Reds (76-76) Thursday in the first game of a 4-game series. First pitch from Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati, Ohio, is at 7:15 p.m. ET (FOX). 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: Cubs lead 5-4

The Cubs are in second place in the NL Central, trailing the Milwaukee Brewers by 5 games, but they have clinched a playoff berth and lead the NL Wild Card. They are coming off a 3-game sweep of the PIttsburgh Pirates and have won 4 games in a row and 7 of their last 8. They beat the Pirates 8-4 in the finale Wednesday, scoring 4 runs in the top of the first and adding 3 more in the sixth inning. OF Ian Happ had 2 hits and 3 RBIs, incluing his 23rd homer of the year. After SP Michael Boyd allowed 4 runs in the first 2 innings, he and 4 relievers pitched 7 scoreless innings.

The Reds are 2 games behind the New York Mets for the final Wild Card berth but are also a half-game behind the Arizona Diamondbacks. While they have lost 4 of their last 6, they took 2 of 3 from the St. Louis Cardinals, winning Wednesday’s finale 6-2. 1B Spencer Steer drove in 5 runs, going 3-for-5 with a double and a homer.

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Cubs at Reds projected starters

RHP Colin Rea vs. RHP Hunter Greene

Rea (10-6, 4.23 ERA) makes his 26th start and 31st appearance. He has a 1.31 WHIP, 2.6 BB/9 and 6.7 K/9 through 146 2/3 innings.

Last start: No-decision, 5 1/3 IP, 3 ER, 7 H, 0 BB, 5 K in 5-4 home loss to Tampa Bay Rays Saturday2025 road splits: 5-3, 4.47 ERA (54 1/3 IP, 27 ER), 1.36 WHIP, 6.3 K/9 in 9 starts, 3 relief appearances2025 vs. Reds: 0-2, 10.13 ERA (10 2/3 IP, 12 ER), 2.06 WHIP, 17 H, 5 BB, 11 K in 2 startsCareer vs. Reds: 5-2, 6.32 ERA (47 IP, 33 ER), 1.53 WHIP, 9.8 K/9 in 9 starts, 1 relief appearance

Greene (6-4, 3.01 ERA) makes his 18th start. He has a 0.99 WHIP, 2.2 BB/9 and 11.3 K/9 through 92 2/3 innings.

Last start: No-decision, 2 1/3 IP, 5 ER, 4 H, 4 BB, 3 K in 11-5 defeat at A’s Saturday2025 home splits: 4-1, 1.69 ERA (53 1/3 IP, 10 ER), 0.75 WHIP, 11.8 K/9 in 9 startsLast start vs. Cubs: No-decision, 4 IP, 2 ER, 3 H, 2 BB, 2 K in 13-6 defeat in Cincinnati May 23Career vs. Cubs: 4-1, 4.10 ERA (41 2/3 IP, 19 ER), 1.01 WHIP, 10.4 K/9 in 8 startsCubs 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 10:17 a.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Cubs +115 (bet $100 to win $115) | Reds -140 (bet $140 to win $100)Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Cubs +1.5 (-175) | Reds -1.5 (+145)Over/Under (O/U): 8.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

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Cubs at Reds picks and predictionsPrediction

Reds 4, Cubs 2

Green has been excellent at home, and Rea has struggled in 2 starts against the Reds this season.

Cincinnati is 40-34 at home this season and Rea has allowed at least 3 runs in 3 of his last 4 starts.

BET REDS (-140)

You can make even more with the run line. Three of the Reds’ 4 wins over the Cubs this season have been by at least 2 runs. Eight of their last 11 wins have been by 2 or more runs.

The Cubs are 19-24 ATS as road favorites.

BET RED -1.5 (+145).

Rea’s last 4 starts have had at least 9 total runs.

But the total has not reached double digits in 6 of the Reds’ last 7 wins. Only 1 of their 4 wins over the Cubs has reached 10 total runs.

BET UNDER 8.5 (-110).

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