Cincinnati Reds vs. Chicago Cubs Picks, Predictions, Odds

Cincinnati Reds vs. Chicago Cubs Betting Analysis

The Cincinnati Reds and the Chicago Cubs will square off at Wrigley Field for the second of a three-game set on Wednesday, June 29, 2022.

Despite posting a 14-24 record away from Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati is in fifth place in the National League Central with an overall record of 26-47, which trails the first placed Milwaukee Brewers by 15.5 games. The Cubs rank fourth in the National League Central with a record of 28-46, and 13-26 at home, which trails the first-place Brewers by 14 games.

Updated on 04/24/2024

BetMGM Exclusive Offer: Get a 20% Deposit Match up to $1,600 in Sports Bonus!

Bonus Code VIBONUS1600 Claim Now

Must be 21+. Gambling problem? Call or text 1-800-GAMBLER

Cincinnati Reds vs. Chicago Cubs Betting Prediction

The Cincinnati Reds enter this matchup last in the NL Central, 15 and a half games behind the Milwaukee Brewers for first place. Cincinnati went 2-1 SU in their most recent series against San Francisco but have lost eight of their last 10 games. The Reds had their bats working against San Francisco with 16 runs scored throughout the series. The bullpen also played well, holding the Giants to 14 runs throughout the series with nine of those coming in game-two. This has not been a common trend as the Reds bullpen has struggled all season with a team ERA of 5.36 (30th). Cincinnati’s offense has seen a bit more success, averaging 4.36 runs per game (17th) this season. The third baseman Brandon Drury has been a big part of the offensive production with a batting average of .272 (64-235), 15 home runs, and 38 RBIs.  

Chicago is currently fourth in the NL Central standings, 13 games behind the Milwaukee Brewers for first place. The Cubs most recently went 2-1 SU in a series with the St. Louis Cardinals and have gone 5-5 SU in their last 10 games. The Cubs bullpen was excellent against the Cardinals, holding them to just 10 runs throughout the series. The offense was not great by any means but managed to do enough with 12 runs scored throughout. Chicago has struggled on both sides of the ball the entire season, averaging 4.24 runs per game (20th) with a team ERA of 4.84 (26th). Left fielder Ian Happ has been one of Chicago’s more productive hitters with a batting average of .279 (68-244), eight home runs, and 36 RBIs. 

The Reds and Cubs have played four games prior to this series, each team winning twice. I like the value in the Reds moneyline here in game-two. Neither team has a huge advantage on either side of the ball in this one, but I do expect Cincinnati to get off to a quick start against left-handed pitcher Justin Steele. In his only outing against the Reds this season, Steele gave up seven hits and seven runs in just 2.0 innings of work. Backing the Reds moneyline here as there is solid value in this matchup.  

Score Prediction: Reds 5, Cubs 3
Best Bet: Reds ML

Cincinnati Reds vs. Chicago Cubs Betting Odds

Cincinnati Reds vs. Chicago Cubs Betting Resources

• Date: Wednesday, June 29, 2022
• Matchup: NL Central
• Venue: Wrigley Field
• Location: Chicago, Illinois
• Time-TV: 8:05 p.m. ET – MLB.tv

Cincinnati Reds vs. Chicago Cubs – Current Form

The Reds lost 3-0 against the Dodgers last Thursday, then went 0-3 to the Giants in their next game on Sunday. The Giants scored only two runs against the Cincinnati Reds on Friday, which was Cincinnati’s best result in the last two series.

The Reds were the weakest on Thursday, when the Los Angeles Dodgers scored 10 runs in game two of a three-contest series against the Dodgers. The Cubs were tripped up by the Pittsburgh Pirates last Thursday, but grabbed one of four games last Sunday against the Cardinals. In the first contest against the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday, the Chicago Cubs were in their best form in the last seven games, not allowing the St. Louis Cardinals to score one single run. Chicago cruised past the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday by plating 14 runs in the third of a game of the series.

Cincinnati Reds vs. Chicago Cubs – Pitching Matchup

Cincinnati: Hunter Greene (3-8, 5.66 ERA)

Hunter Greene will make his 14th start of the season for Cincinnati, who’s hoping to find some traction after posting a 3-8 record and 5.66 ERA thus far, while tallying a 1.36 WHIP, 30 walks, and 88 strikeouts across 70 innings of action. Greene lost his most recent start against the Los Angeles Dodgers, as Cincinnati’s right-hander surrendered six runs on nine hits, two walks, and three strikeouts during the Reds’ 5-10 home loss on June 23, 2022. Greene is 1-5 with a 5.49 ERA across this season’s eight starts on the road, which includes 16 walks, 56 strikeouts, and a 1.32 WHIP over 39.1 innings of action.

Chicago: Justin Steele (2-5, 4.59 ERA)

Justin Steele will make his 14th start of the season for Chicago, who’s hoping to find some traction after posting a 2-5 record and 4.59 ERA thus far, while tallying a 1.45 WHIP, 29 walks, and 61 strikeouts across 64.2 innings of action. The 26-year-old left-hander didn’t factor in the decision in his last start, when the Cubs lost to the Pittsburgh Pirates on June 23, 2022 on the road. Steele gave up six runs on seven hits with eight strikeouts. Pitching at home this season, Steele is 2-3 with a 3.30 ERA, a 1.33 WHIP, 22 walks and 33 strikeouts over 43.2 innings in nine starts.

Cincinnati Reds vs. Chicago Cubs – Series History

In the 2021 season the Reds won the season series 11-8. In the current season, the Reds are still up with three wins out of five games.