The Chicago Cubs (72-86) host the Cincinnati Reds (60-98) at Wrigley Field on Sunday with the home team in position for a sweep of the three-game series. The Cubs lead the series 2-0 after winning 2-1 on Saturday, their sixth straight victory overall and ninth in 15 games against the Reds this season. Reliever Wade Miley threw two scoreless innings to get the win, and Brandon Hughes threw 0.1 scoreless innings to pick up his eighth save. Seiya Suzuki went 1 for 3 with a solo home run in the win. Nelson Velazquez added a triple and one RBI. Kyle Farmer was 2 for 4 with one RBI for the Reds.
ON THE MOUND
Chase Anderson (2-3, 4.70 ERA) is slated to get the start for Cincinnati. The RHP allowed one run over four innings in his last start, an 8-3 home defeat against the Pirates on Monday. He gave up four hits while striking out five in the no-decision. RHP Marcus Stroman (5-7, 3.80 ERA) gets the ball for Chicago. He has made one prior start against the Reds this season, giving up two runs over five innings in an 11-4 road win on May 24. He gave up four hits and walked two, while striking out eight in the win. In his last start on Tuesday, Stroman got the win at home against the Phillies. He threw seven innings and gave up one run on four hits, striking out six and walking one in the 2-1 triumph.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, Cincinnati has averaged only 1.8 runs a game, down from their season average of 4.0, while slashing worse across the board (.161/.201/.286). Against right-handed pitchers like Stroman this season, the Reds have a .667 OPS, fourth lowest in MLB. Farmer is the team’s strongest hitter against right-handers with a .613 OPS in 372 at-bats. Chicago is averaging only 3.2 runs per game in the last five, down slightly from 4.0 for the season. The Cubs have a .695 OPS against right-handers in 2022. With a .782 OPS over 433 at-bats, Ian Happ has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Cincinnati is on a five-game losing streak on the road, bringing their record to 29-51 in 2022. The Reds have scored 3.5 runs per game away from home, while allowing 4.8 runs. Chicago has won five in a row at their home park. The Cubs are 36-44 at home this season, averaging 4.0 runs per game while surrendering 4.3. In the last 10 meetings at Wrigley Field, Chicago is 6-4 with an average scoreline of 5.4-3.6.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Reds are fourth in the NL Central, 31 games behind the division-leading Cardinals. The Cubs are third in the NL Central, 20 games behind the Cardinals.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Chicago Cubs (-165)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
