Reds Favored to Win Series Opener Against Cubs with Taillon and Spiers on the Mound
The Chicago Cubs and Cincinnati Reds are set to kick off a three-game series in Cincinnati with RHP Jameson Taillon and RHP Carson Spiers expected to start for their
Game outlook
The Chicago Cubs and Cincinnati Reds are set to kick off a three-game series in Cincinnati with RHP Jameson Taillon and RHP Carson Spiers expected to start for their respective teams. Taillon boasts an impressive 2.96 ERA, while Spiers comes in with a 3.83 ERA. The Reds are the slight betting favorite with a current line of Cincinnati -108. The game is scheduled to begin at 7:10 EST at Great American Ball Park.
Betting Odds
Moneyline: Cubs -103 | Reds -108
Spread: Cubs -1.5 (+149) | Reds +1.5 (-167)
Total: Over/Under 9 (-110)
Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Cincinnati will win straight-up is 52%.
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs had a successful series win against the Kansas City Royals, coming out with a 2-1 victory in the first half of their road trip. Despite a 4-5 record since the All-Star break and being shut out three times, the team showed improvement in their recent games. Michael Busch and Pete Crow-Armstrong had standout performances in Sunday's win, contributing to the team's offensive success. While the Cubs rank 13th in the National League in batting average, their pitching staff has been solid with a 3.72 team ERA, the third best in the NL. Starter Taillon has been impressive with a 3-1 record in July and a 2.77 ERA in four starts. Reliever Hector Neris leads the team in saves and wins, with a 0.90 ERA in his last 11 appearances. Injuries to catcher Tomas Nido and outfielder Cody Bellinger have impacted the team, but Chicago remains competitive with a power ranking of 3 and a record of 50-53 this season.