The Chicago Cubs (73-87) are on the road to face the Cincinnati Reds (61-99) at Great American Ball Park on Tuesday. The Reds took Monday’s series opener 3-1, their seventh head-to-head victory in 17 games this season. Starter Hunter Greene threw six scoreless innings – striking out eight – to get the win, and Alexis Diaz pitched the ninth to earn his 10th save. Jonathan India went 1 for 2 with a double, one run, and one RBI in the win. Zach McKinstry was 1 for 3 with one run for the Cubs.
ON THE MOUND
Javier Assad (2-2, 4.28 ERA) is set to start for Chicago. The LHP threw five scoreless innings in his last start, a 2-0 road win over the Phillies on Thursday. He was credited with the win, yielding five hits while striking out three and walking two. Assad has made one previous start against the Reds this season, a 7-1 home loss on September 7. He surrendered four runs on five hits over 5.1 innings, striking out six and walking one. For Cincinnati, right-hander Luis Cessa (4-4, 4.76 ERA) takes the mound. He has made five appearances against the Cubs this season, including one start, giving up seven runs over 9.0 innings (0-0, 7.00) with 10 strikeouts and three walks. In his last start on Wednesday, Cessa took a no-decision on the road against the Pirates. He threw six innings and gave up three runs on six hits, striking out two and walking two in the 4-3 defeat.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, Chicago has averaged 3.8 runs a game, a small drop compared to their season average of 4.0. Against righties like Cessa this season, the Cubs have a .695 OPS. Ian Happ is the team’s best hitter against right-handers with a .788 OPS in 440 at-bats. Cincinnati is averaging only 1.8 runs per game in the last five, down from 4.0 for the season, with their slash line falling across the board (.175/.219/.281). The Reds have a .713 OPS against left-handers in 2022. With a .948 OPS over 139 at-bats, Kyle Farmer has been their best hitter against left-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Chicago is 36-43 in away games in 2022, scoring 4.0 runs per game while allowing 4.8 runs. Cincinnati has gone 32-47 at their home ballpark this season, averaging 4.6 runs per game while surrendering 5.1. In the last 10 meetings at Great American Ball Park, each club has won five, though Cincinnati has the scoring advantage with an average final margin of 6.1-5.3.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Cubs are third in the NL Central, 19 games behind the division-leading Cardinals. The Reds are fourth in the NL Central, 31 games behind the Cardinals.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Cincinnati Reds (-120)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
