The early total was set at 8 (O: -110 | U: -110).The Reds (62-99) lead the series 2-0 after winning 3-2 on Tuesday, their eighth head-to-head victory in 18 games this season. Reliever Alexis Diaz threw 1.1 scoreless innings to get the win. Chuckie Robinson went 2 for 3 with a home run and two RBIs in the win. Willson Contreras was 2 for 3 with a solo home run for the Cubs (73-88).
ON THE MOUND
Adrian Sampson (4-5, 3.10 ERA) is set to take the mound for Chicago. The right-hander faces the Reds in back-to-back starts. On Friday, he allowed one run over seven innings, a 6-1 road win. He got the win, yielding three hits while striking out six and walking two. Over three previous starts against the Reds this season, Sampson has allowed only four earned runs over 17 innings (1-0, 2.12). He has struck out 13 and walked five. Righty Graham Ashcraft (5-5, 4.52 ERA) will take the mound for Cincinnati. He has made three appearances against the Cubs this season, all as the starter, giving up 17 runs (15 ER) over 11.1 innings (0-3, 11.91) with six strikeouts and seven walks. In his last start on Friday, Ashcraft took the loss on the road against the Cubs. He threw 2.2 innings and gave up six runs (5 ER) on six hits, striking out one and walking two in the 6-1 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 Ashcraft this season, the Cubs have a .693 OPS. Ian Happ is the team’s most productive hitter against right-handers with a .781 OPS in 444 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 (.176/.236/.261). The Reds have a .662 OPS against right-handers in 2022, fourth lowest in the league. With a .611 OPS over 384 at-bats, Kyle Farmer has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Chicago is 36-44 away from home in 2022, scoring 4.0 runs per game while allowing 4.8 runs. Cincinnati has won three in a row at Great American Ball Park. The Reds are 33-47 at home this season, averaging 4.6 runs per game while surrendering 5.1. The NL Central rivals have split their last 10 meetings head-to-head at Great American Ball Park with an average scoreline of 5.0-5.0.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Cubs are third in the NL Central, 20 games behind the division-leading Cardinals. The Reds are fourth in the NL Central, 31 games behind the Cardinals.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Cincinnati Reds (+100)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
