Reds vs. Cubs MLB Betting Preview -- August 23rd

Good Pitching Expected for Cubs and Reds

Thursday, August 23 at 8:05 PM ET

Wrigley Field

Clear 65°F

Wind: 3mph Blowing Out

Odds: Cubs -205 on the moneyline. The total is 9 Under -113.

Anthony DeSclafani and Cole Hamels look to continue their recent dominance tonight. The Reds visit the Cubs in what promises to be an intriguing pitching matchup at Wrigley Field.

DeSclafani gets no-decision despite dominating the Giants

Anthony DeSclafani (6-3, 4.12 ERA, 1.18 WHIP) allowed one earned run on six hits last time out. He also a walk with five strikeouts over 7 2/3 innings to get a no-decision in a 2-1 win against the Giants last Friday.

DeSclafani now has three straight quality starts. That makes five this season and he has a 3-1 record with a 3.91 ERA in four road starts.

The Reds have scored 575 runs (15th in the majors). They are putting up 4.53 runs per game (15th), hitting .258 (5th) with 131 home runs (23rd).

Cincinnati ranks 24th with a 4.70 ERA, 27th with a 1.42 WHIP and 26th with 966 strikeouts.

Their bullpen ranks 16th with a 4.11 ERA. Eugenio Suarez leads the Reds with 28 home runs and 92 RBI. Scooter Gennett has 19 home runs, 75 RBI and team-bests with a .310 batting average and 145 hits.

Hamels nearly unhittable since joining the Cubs

Cole Hamels (8-9, 4.00 ERA, 1.28 WHIP) surrendered just five hits and two walks with three strikeouts last outing. That was over seven scoreless innings in a 1-0 win against the Pirates last Friday.

He's averaging 8.28 strikeouts per nine innings (K/9) along with a.3.83 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 25 innings over four starts with the Cubs.

The Cubs have scored 597 runs (9th in the majors). They are putting up 4.78 runs per game (6th), hitting .262 (2nd) with 132 home runs (21st).

Chicago ranks 8th with a 3.73 ERA, 20th with a 1.34 WHIP and 21st with 1016 strikeouts. Their bullpen ranks 4th with a 3.19 ERA.

Javier Baez leads the Cubs with a .292 batting average, 26 home runs, 92 RBI and 135 hits.  Kyle Schwarber has 22 home runs and 50 RBI. Anthony Rizzo chips in 20 home runs, 80 RBI and a team-best .364 OBP.

" data-medium-file="https://i1.wp.com/handicappershideaway.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/OddsNews-284x50-Logo.png?fit=218%2C50" data-large-file="https://i1.wp.com/handicappershideaway.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/OddsNews-284x50-Logo.png?fit=218%2C50"/>

MLB Trends:

The Under is:

5-1 in Cincinnati's last six road games against a team with a winning record

9-3-1 in DeSclafani's last 13 road starts against a team with a winning record

7-3 in DeSclafani's last 10 starts when their opponent allows two runs or less in their previous game

4-0 in DeSclafani's last four road starts against the Cubs

12-2 in Chicago's last 14 games against a right-handed starter

19-7-1 in Chicago's last 27 during game 1 of a series

5-1 in Chicago's last six games

This and That

Anthony DeSclafani is 2-0 with an 0.83 ERA and an 0.80 WHIP in his last three starts. The Cubs are struggling to score runs as of late.

Cole Hamels on the other hand has been incredible since joining the Cubbies. He has gone 3-0 with an 0.72 ERA and an 0.88 WHIP in four starts. He is allowing just three runs (two earned) in 25 innings. Hamels has a 1.69 ERA and a shutout in seven career starts at Wrigley Field.

MLB Pick: Under 9 (-113) at Jazz Sportsbook

Check odds here: https://goo.gl/dVwAAb

Odds as seen on ESPN Chalk: https://goo.gl/ji6GJZ

 

" data-medium-file="https://i1.wp.com/handicappershideaway.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/OddsNews-284x50-Logo.png?fit=218%2C50" data-large-file="https://i1.wp.com/handicappershideaway.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/OddsNews-284x50-Logo.png?fit=218%2C50"/>