Thursday, July 10, 2014, 12:35 PM on WGN

Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati, Ohio

Chicago Cubs - Hendricks, K (0-0) vs. Cincinnati Reds - Bailey, H (8-5)

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Thursday afternoon, the Chicago Cubs will give the ball to Kyle Hendricks as they square off against the Cincinnati Reds and Homer Bailey. Hendricks will make his Major League debut as Bailey makes his 19^th start of the year.

Kyle Hendricks will see his first action in a Major League game after getting the call from Triple-A Iowa. In Iowa, Hendricks made 17 starts and posted a record of 10 - 5 with a 3.59 ERA. He struck out 97 while walking 23. Last season, Hendricks was named the minor league pitcher of the year in the Cubs' farm system.

Without any experience and facing big league hitters for the first time, Hendricks will have to master his nerves as well as his pitches.

Homer Bailey took the loss in his last start and that dropped his record to 8 - 5 with a 4.15 ERA. Bailey had a solid start though, as he surrendered just a run on 7 hits. He walked 4 but struck out 8. But 1 run was all that the opposition needed as Bailey suffered from a lack of offense. Bailey is still on pace for a better season than 2013 when he was 11 - 12 with a 3.49 ERA in 32 starts.

Last season, Bailey was 2 - 0 with a 2.66 ERA in 3 starts against the Cubs. This season, Bailey has started 2 games against Chicago. He won his 1 ^st start but lost his 2^nd after allowing 4 runs and 4 hits (including a home run) in 5.1 innings.

Chicago Cubs Betting Trends

Chicago Cubs are 44-39-4 against the Over/Under

Run Differential for Chicago Cubs is -0.2

Cincinnati Reds Betting Trends

Cincinnati Reds are 39-46-3 against the Over/Under

Run differential for Cincinnati Reds is 0.2

Injuries to Watch

Chicago Cubs

06/13/14 2B Emilio Bonifacio Ribs 15-day DL (6/13)
03/31/14 P James McDonald Shoulder 60-day DL (2/23)
03/28/14 P Kyuji Fujikawa Elbow 60-day DL (3/21)

Cincinnati Reds

07/08/14 1B Joey Votto Quad 15-day DL (7/1)
06/21/14 P Trevor Bell Elbow 60-day DL (4/08)
06/14/14 P Sean Marshall Shoulder 60-day DL (6/13)
03/28/14 3B Jack Hannahan Shoulder 60-day DL (3/30)

Tony's Pick: Take Cincinnati

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here

Read more articles by Tony Sink