Reds vs Cubs MLB Odds, Picks, Predictions: Back Chicago to Win at Home (Thursday, September 8)

Reds vs. Cubs Odds

The Chicago Cubs and Cincinnati Reds square off in the rubber match of their three game series on Thursday afternoon. This is a match up between two teams that are so bad, that the game might actually be good.

Not only is the match up bad, but it's a contest that features the Cubs' fifth starter, Adrian Sampson, and the Reds' bullpen, led by Luis Cessa. Honestly, I can't think of a better way to spend a Thursday afternoon than watching this.

The Cubs have been in a slide as of late and are just 2-8 over their past 10 games. On the other side, the Reds are 5-5 over their past 10.

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Cincinnati Reds: Can Pitching Staff Hold Up?

Luis Cessa is making his fourth consecutive start of the season on Thursday (it'll be his fifth start overall). Cessa has been okay as a starter.

Additionally, the Reds bullpen has been quite bad this season. Therefore, a game that will heavily feature their bullpen sounds like a fade-worthy option.

The Cincinnati offense has also been struggling as well. Over the past two weeks, it ranks among the league's worst in wRC+ on the road against RHP. The Reds are missing some of their more reliable contributors, but are also dealing with a revolving door of personnel.

Chicago Cubs: Can Offense Carry Cubs to Victory?

The Cubs' offense has not been the issue for them this season as they've steadily produced at a decent clip all year. Their pitching has really struggled to find any consistency.

Adrian Sampson has been a serviceable back end starter for the Cubs this season, but the bullpen has really fallen apart in the second half. Over the past two weeks, the Chicago bullpen has the highest ERA and FIP in MLB.

The Cubs are still without two of their better power bats in Willson Contreras and Pat Wisdom, but their absence has not hurt the offense that much. Especially at home.

Reds-Cubs Pick

If you are enough of a degenerate to be betting on this game, it's really hard to back any of these options considering the inconsistent play from both teams. However, the Cubs are still relatively heavy favorites entering the game with a moneyline around -145.

If the Cubs' offense can put up enough runs to factor out their bullpen, then the -145 moneyline seems to be the only real value on the board. The weather may not end up being a huge factor Thursday, so play the Cubs' moneyline to -150 or better.

Pick: Cubs ML -145