Chicago Cubs vs. Cincinnati Reds Pick & Prediction

The Cincinnati Reds (28-29) and Chicago Cubs (35-21) will face off to begin a three-game series starting on Friday, May 30 at 2:20 PM ET at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois. The Cubs are favored, per MyBookie, with a moneyline set at -175.

Cincinnati Reds Betting Preview

The Reds are 3-2 over their last five games and are coming off a 3-2 loss against the Kansas City Royals. This snapped their two-game win streak, where they put up 14 runs in those two games combined.

For this upcoming matchup, Andrew Abbott (4-0) will look to stay undefeated with a 1.77 ERA and a 1.16 WHIP through 40.2 innings pitched. The Reds have put up a 3.78 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP so far, which means having Abbott to start is crucial for their defense.

Cincinnati has put up a .248 batting average while allowing opposing teams to average .230 at the plate too. This is a solid separation between the two averages, indicating that the Reds have slightly better scoring opportunities in comparison to their opponents.

The Reds have put up 6.00 runs a game over their last five battles. On defense during this time, they have allowed 4.80 runs each game. This does not offer a lot of breathing room, so their offense must be in top shape if they continue to allow their opponents to earn that many runs.

Chicago Cubs Betting Preview

The Cubs have won their last four games and are coming off an easier series against the Colorado Rockies. They had a close victory in Game 3 of that series, with a 2-1 outing. Two of these victories were decided by a run, which could cause some concern if they are struggling against one of the worst teams in the league.

Colin Rea (3-1) is starting on the mound here, who has an ERA at 3.28 and a WHIP at 1.29 in 46.2 innings pitched. The Cubs have put up a 3.89 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP, so Rea is a good pitcher to have here.

Chicago posts a .262 batting average and are allowing opposing teams to get .248 in return. While their offense can be great at times, their defense tends to slip (like it did against a weaker Rockies team).

The Cubs have averaged 4.80 runs a game over their last five matchups, while their defense in this timeframe has allowed 3.80 runs from opposing teams. This differential is similar in comparison to what the Reds have posted, making this likely a competitive series to watch. 

Odds, Series Trends, and Free Pick

MyBookie offers the best Cincinnati Reds vs. Chicago Cubs betting odds that reveal Cubs favored at home. According to market analysis, the Cubs have a 62.5 percent chance of winning. 

The Reds are 14-15 on the road while the Cubs are 18-10 at home. This battle slightly favors the Cubs to find success.

Final Pick: Chicago Cubs -175