The Chicago Cubs are trying to make a late push to win the National League Central Division. Chicago has now won five straight games to climb to just two games back of the division-leading St. Louis Cardinals. Cincinnati is in town this week for a three-game series, and the Reds appear to be giving up on the season with just over 10 games to play.
Cincinnati fell to 70-81 with the series-opening loss on Monday night. The Reds are a much-improved team this season as opposed to years past, and they could be a factor in the playoff race in upcoming seasons. The Cubs have improved their record to 82-68 with their five straight wins and are holding on to a playoff spot in the National League Wild Card race. The Chicago Cubs are -152 over the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday night in game two of the series.
Darvish Pitching Well For Cubs
Yu Darvish had a miserable 2018 season, his first in Chicago, but things have been much better for him this season. Darvish will be on the mound in game two of the series and will be looking to win his second straight start. The hard-throwing right-hander is just 6-6 with a 3.97 earned run average this season, but he has been much better in the second half of the season. Chicago has a banged-up bullpen at this point of the season and needs a long start from one of its top pitchers.
The Chicago Cubs are dealing with a ton of injuries to some of their biggest stars, but it hasn’t stopped their offense from putting up huge numbers this week. The Cubs have scored 55 runs in their last four games, which is a franchise record. Kyle Schwarber blasted his team-leading 37th home run on Monday night, and the Cubs have been hitting home runs like crazy. The Cubs love hitting at home, and they have been red-hot of late.
Suarez Powering Improved Reds Lineup
The Reds traded away Yasiel Puig at the trade deadline, and their offense has not been even close to as productive since. Eugenio Suarez has continued to put up monster numbers for the Reds and is tied for the league lead with 47 home runs. The Reds are in the bottom third of the league in runs scored, and their offense will likely hold them back.
Right-hander Sonny Gray will be on the mound for Cincinnati on Tuesday night, and he has pitched well in a Reds uniform. Gray is 10-7 with a sparkling 2.80 earned run average this season and has pitched well against the Cubs. Cincinnati had to use a lot of its bullpen in the series opener, and it needs Gray to pitch deep in this game.
Cubs Win Sixth Straight
No need to overthink this one. The Cubs are scoring runs like crazy of late, and they have Darvish on the mound. Gray is a solid pitcher for the Reds, but this one will get away from him at some point. The Cubs need the win, and they will get it again. Bet the Chicago Cubs -152 over the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday night.
