Friday, June 12, 2015

Wrigley Field

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Probable Pitchers: Johnny Cueto (4-4) vs. Jason Hammel (5-2)

The Cincinnati Reds take on the Chicago Cubs on Friday at Wrigley Field. The Reds send Johnny Cueto to the mound to face Jason Hammel of the Cubs. The opening line for this matchup has Cincinnati at +103 and Chicago at -113. The over/under was set at 0. The Reds, with a 28-30 run line record, cover the spread 48% of the time. They also have a 30-24 over/under record. The Cubs have a 24-28 over/under record and a 24-33 run line mark, which means they are covering the spread 42% of the time.

The Reds head into this matchup with a 27-31 record, including 10-18 on the road. Starting pitcher Johnny Cueto holds a 4-4 record with an earned run average of 2.64 and a WHIP of 0.94. In his starts, the Reds are 6-5 over his 78.1 innings pitched this season while giving up 60 hits during those innings. Their record against the over/under when he starts is 3-6. He is getting 3.2 runs from the team when he takes the mound. The bullpen's earned run average is currently 4.54 and they've given up 146 hits on the season. Opposing teams are hitting .235 against the Reds bullpen while walking 75 times and striking out 155 times. Cincinnati is averaging 7.24 strikeouts per game while getting 8.46 hits per nine innings as a team. They rank 21st in baseball in team earned run average at 4.16.

As a team, Cincinnati is batting .247, good for 20th in the league while putting together a .241 average away from home. Ranked at 16th in the league in on-base percentage, the Reds sit at .317 and they hold a .407 team slugging percentage. Todd Frazier leads the team in hits with 65 while the team ranks 22nd in baseball with 8.28 hits per game.

With a 15-11 home record, Chicago will hope to improve on their 31-26 overall mark. With an earned run average of 2.76, Jason Hammel will come into this game holding a 5-2 record and a 0.89 WHIP. In his starts, the Cubs are 6-5 and he has allowed 58 hits over 75 innings pitched this season. Their record against the over/under when he starts is 4-7. He is getting 4.3 runs from the team when he takes the mound. The bullpen's earned run average is currently at 3.59 and they have given up 152 hits on the season. Opposing teams are hitting .234 against the Cubs bullpen while walking 67 times and striking out 162 times. Chicago is averaging 8.78 strikeouts per game while getting 8.45 hits per nine innings as a team. They rank 10th in the league in team earned run average at 3.71.

As a team, they are batting .243, good for 22nd in the league while putting together a .239 average at Safeco Field. Ranked at 11th in the league in on-base percentage, the Cubs sit at .320 and they hold a .387 team slugging percentage. Anthony Rizzo leads the team in hits with 68 while the team ranks 18th in baseball with 8.35 hits a game.

The Reds have committed 26 errors and have combined for 596 assists and 1,544 put outs leading to a .988 team fielding percentage. The Cubs have committed 46 errors on the season with 583 assists and 1,544 put outs leading to a team fielding percentage of .979 on the year.

Cincinnati Reds Betting Trends

The Cincinnati Reds are 30-24 against the over/under so far this season

The Cincinnati Reds are 28-30 against the run line so far this season

Chicago Cubs Betting Trends

The Chicago Cubs are 24-28 against the over/under so far this season

The Chicago Cubs are 24-33 against the run line so far this season

Injuries to Watch

Cincinnati Reds

06/11/15 CF Billy Hamilton Wrist is not expected to be in the starting lineup Thursday vs. Chicago Cubs
06/11/15 2B Brandon Phillips Groin is not expected to be in the starting lineup Thursday vs. Chicago Cubs
06/11/15 SS Zack Cozart Knee out for season
06/05/15 P Rasiel Iglesias Oblique Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (6/05)
06/03/15 RF Marlon Byrd Wrist Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (6/3)
05/25/15 C Devin Mesoraco Hip Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (5/23)
04/28/15 P Homer Bailey Elbow Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (4/26); out for season
04/04/15 CF Jason Bourgeois Shoulder Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (4/5)
04/04/15 P Sean Marshall Shoulder Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (4/5)

Chicago Cubs

06/03/15 RF Jorge Soler Ankle Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (6/2)
04/17/15 3B Mike Olt Wrist Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (4/15)
04/17/15 P Neil Ramirez Shoulder Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (4/16)
04/15/15 2B Tommy La Stella Ribs Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (4/9)
04/06/15 P Jacob Turner Elbow Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (3/27)

Josh's Pick: Take the Cubs

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