Free MLB Picks Today: Chicago Cubs vs Cincinnati Reds 9/7/22

The Chicago Cubs (57-78) host the Cincinnati Reds (53-80) at Wrigley Field on Wednesday. The Cubs took Tuesday’s series opener 9-3, their seventh head-to-head victory in 11 games this season. Hayden Wesneski got the win with five scoreless innings out of the bullpen. Nico Hoerner went 2 for 3 with a triple and three runs in the win. Seiya Suzuki added a home run and three RBIs. Kyle Farmer was 2 for 4 with a home run and a triple for the Reds. He drove in three runs.

ON THE MOUND

Mike Minor (3-10, 6.10 ERA) is set to start for Cincinnati. The left-hander allowed two runs over 4.2 innings in his last start, a 5-3 road defeat against the Cardinals on August 31. He gave up four hits while striking out one and walking two in the no-decision. For Chicago, southpaw Javier Assad (0-0, 0.90 ERA) will take the mound. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Reds. In his last appearance on Friday, Assad pitched out of the bullpen on the road against the Cardinals. He threw one inning and gave up one run on two hits, striking out two, in the 8-0 defeat.

AT THE PLATE

Over the last five games, Cincinnati has averaged 4.6 runs a game, a small gain compared to their season average of 4.3. Against southpaws like Assad this season, the Reds have a .712 OPS. Farmer is the team’s strongest hitter against left-handers with a .957 OPS in 125 at-bats. Chicago is averaging only 4.0 runs per game in the last five, down slightly from 4.1 for the season. The Cubs have a .695 OPS against lefties in 2022. With a .873 OPS over 99 at-bats, Willson Contreras has been their best hitter against left-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

Cincinnati is 24-41 in road games in 2022, scoring 3.6 runs per game while allowing 5.1 runs. Chicago has gone 29-38 at Wrigley Field this season, averaging 4.2 runs per game while surrendering 4.6. In the last 10 meetings at Wrigley Field, each club has won five, though Chicago has the scoring advantage with an average final margin of 5.6-4.8.

STANDINGS UPDATE

The Reds are fourth in the NL Central, 25 games behind the division-leading Cardinals. The Cubs are third in the NL Central, 22 games behind the Cardinals.