Chicago Cubs vs
Cincinnati RedsPredictions & Preview

Chicago Cubs Look to Continue Dominance in Series Finale Against Cincinnati Reds

This article provides a preview of the final game of a weekend series between the Chicago Cubs and Cincinnati Reds. The Cubs took the first game of the series with a 13-6 victory on Friday night. The article discusses the starting pitchers for the upcoming game, Ben Brown for the Cubs and Nick Lodolo for the Reds. The Cubs are currently favored to win with a opening line of -115. The outcome of the middle game of the series had not been determined at the time of publication.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Cubs -115 | Reds +103
• Spread: Cubs -1.5 (+134) | Reds +1.5 (-162)
• Total: Over/Under 9 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Chicago will win straight-up is 53%.

Chicago vs Cincinnati Stats

Chicago Cubs

The Chicago Cubs secured their third consecutive victory and their sixth win in the last seven games by overcoming the Cincinnati Reds in the series opener on Friday night. The Cubs currently hold a three-game lead over the St. Louis Cardinals for the top spot in the NL Central with a record of 31-20. Key contributors to their performance against the Reds included Seiya Suzuki, Pete Crow-Armstrong, and Nico Hoerner, who each tallied three runs. Crow-Armstrong stood out with two homers, including a grand slam, while Suzuki and Dansby Swanson also hit home runs. Matthew Boyd and Chris Flexen played crucial roles in the pitching department, with Flexen earning the win in the game. Ben Brown is set to start the series finale against the Reds, looking to improve upon his previous performances. Chicago's offense ranks first in the league, averaging 5.86 runs per game, while their defense ranks 15th, allowing an average of 4.20 runs against them.

Cincinnati Reds Analysis

Cincinnati had a strong start against Chicago, holding the lead after six innings, but their bullpen struggled late, giving up 11 runs and resulting in a loss. Despite the setback, the Reds are 25-27 on the year and tied for third in the NL Central, standing 6.5 games behind the Cubs. Spencer Steer led the offense with three hits, while Hunter Greene had a solid first start off the IL. Nick Lodolo is set to make his 11th start for the Reds, coming off a win in his last outing. The Reds have a power ranking of 18 and rank #11 for offense and #9 for defense. Chicago has gone 1-2 in their last three matchups against Cincinnati.

Chicago Cubs Offense Explodes for 11 Runs in Victory Against Cincinnati Reds

The Chicago Cubs showcased their formidable offensive capabilities on Friday night, scoring an impressive 11 runs against a struggling Cincinnati bullpen in the final three innings to secure a victory. The Cubs possess a potent lineup that can overwhelm opposing teams at the plate, especially when supported by solid pitching. However, Brown's recent performances, including his last outing against the Marlins, have been below par, with an ERA of 6.60 in his last three starts. Despite this, his FIP mark of 3.01 suggests a potential positive progression in the near future. On the other hand, Lodolo has shown promise, although his overall career numbers at the Great American Ball Park are lackluster. With Cincinnati's bullpen struggling, the Cubs are favorably positioned to succeed in this upcoming matchup.

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