May 27, 2024; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Justin Steele (35) throws a pitch in the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
- The Chicago Cubs are home favorites over the Cincinnati Reds on Saturday night
- Justin Steele takes the mound for Chicago, while Hunter Greene gets the start for Cincinnati
- Read below for Cubs vs Reds prediction, odds, and player props to bet this Saturday
The Cincinnati Reds and Chicago Cubs are set to face off once again at Wrigley Field on Saturday, June 1, following the Reds’ victory in the series opener on Friday. The Reds’ win has undoubtedly shifted the momentum in their favor, and they’ll be looking to carry that confidence into the second game of the series.
However, despite Cincinnati’s win in the series opener, oddsmakers are siding with the Cubs at home. Chicago will be turning to Justin Steele on the mound, whose advanced metrics suggest some incoming positive regression. The Reds, meanwhile, will be handing the ball off to stud right-hander Hunter Greene.
Here is our Cincinnati Reds vs Chicago Cubs prediction, along with betting odds and player props to bet.
Cincinnati Reds vs Chicago Cubs Prediction
The Chicago Cubs are favored at home on Saturday despite a recent rough stretch of play. Chicago has lost three games in a row and finished with a 10-18 record in May. They have lost 11 of their last 14 games.
The Reds, on the other hand, beat this Cubs team by a 5-4 score on Friday night to kick off this weekend series. Craig Counsell’s team finished the month of May with a 9-18 record, reeling off five straight victories to close out the month.
Strong start to the series‼️#ATOBTTR pic.twitter.com/lKCuIRBOiW
— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) May 31, 2024
With Greene on the mound for Cincinnati, we’re targeting the “under” in this game. The left-hander has been on a roll over his past eight starts, posting a 3-1 record with a 2.44 ERA and 1.13 WHIP in that span.
Greene has had Chicago’s number lately, going 2-1 against them in the past three meetings with an excellent 1.69 ERA and 0.56 WHIP. In contrast, Chicago starting pitcher Steele is rocking a solid 1.05 WHIP and appears due for some positive regression with his 0-2 start.
Both teams rank in the bottom half of the league in hits per game, and we don’t trust either bullpen against these starting pitchers. Furthermore, 7 mph winds are in the forecast at Wrigley Field tonight. With the under on a 4-0-1 run in Greene’s pitching starts, bet on another low-scoring affair tonight.
CIN vs CHI Pick:
- Under 7.5 (-120)
Cincinnati Reds vs Chicago Cubs Odds
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reds | +1.5 (-190) | +115 | Over 7.5 (+100) |
| Cubs | -1.5 (+155) | -135 | Under 7.5 (-120) |
Odds as of June 1, at BetMGM Sportsbook. Unlock the BetMGM bonus code to wager on Reds vs Cubs tonight.
The Cubs enter this matchup as the favorites, with moneyline odds of -135, while the Reds are the underdogs at +115. This means that if you bet $10 on the Cubs to win, you would earn a profit of $7.45 if they emerge victorious. On the other hand, a $10 wager on the Reds would yield a profit of $11.45 if they pull off the upset.
The implied probability, which is derived from the odds, suggests that the Cubs have a 57.3% chance of winning the game, while the Reds have a 46.7% chance. It’s important to note that these probabilities include the sportsbook’s margin, so they won’t add up to exactly 100%.
Play ball! pic.twitter.com/YchFrXYY6L
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) May 31, 2024
The run line for this game is set at Cubs -1.5 (+155) and Reds +1.5 (-190). This means that if you bet on the Cubs -1.5, they must win by at least two runs for you to win your bet. A $10 bet on this line would earn you a profit of $15.50.
If you bet on the Reds +1.5, they can lose by one run or win the game outright for you to win your bet. However, you would need to risk $18.80 to win $10 on this line.
The over/under for the game is set at 7.5 runs, with the over at +100 and the under at -120. This means that if you think the total runs scored by both teams will be 8 or more, you would need to bet $11.50 to win $10 on the over. If you think the total runs will be 7 or fewer, a $10 bet on the under would earn you a profit of $9.52.
CIN vs CHI Player Props
Stay tuned for our best Cincinnati vs Chicago player props closer to game time.
Brady is the lead NHL and College Football editor at Sports Betting Dime, where he specializes in betting odds and data-driven analysis. Brady has over 10 years experience working in sports media, with work published by outlets such as ESPN, CBS Sports, Yahoo! Sports and Fox Sports.
The Cincinnati Reds will face off against the Chicago Cubs on Saturday, June 1 in what is sure to be an exciting matchup between two National League Central rivals. Both teams have had their ups and downs so far this season, but they will be looking to secure a win in this game to gain some momentum moving forward.
The Reds currently sit in fourth place in the NL Central with a record of 25-30, while the Cubs are in first place with a record of 31-23. Despite their differing records, both teams have talented rosters that are capable of putting up big numbers on any given day.
In terms of predictions for this game, it’s always tough to say for sure how things will play out in baseball. However, based on recent performances and overall team statistics, the Cubs may have a slight edge in this matchup. Their offense has been more consistent throughout the season, and they have a strong pitching staff led by ace Jon Lester.
As for the odds, most sportsbooks currently have the Cubs listed as the favorites to win this game. The odds can change leading up to game time, so it’s always a good idea to keep an eye on them if you’re thinking about placing a bet.
When it comes to player prop picks, there are a few key players to keep an eye on in this game. For the Reds, look for outfielder Jesse Winker to potentially have a big game at the plate. He has been one of their most consistent hitters this season and could be a difference maker in this matchup.
On the Cubs side, keep an eye on third baseman Kris Bryant. He has been heating up at the plate recently and could be a major threat to the Reds pitching staff.
Overall, this game has the potential to be a close and competitive matchup between two talented teams. It will be interesting to see how things play out on Saturday, but one thing is for sure – it should be a game worth watching for any baseball fan.
