Cincinnati (42-48) at Chicago Cubs (50-43)
When: Monday, July 15th, 2019
Where: Wrigley Field,
Chicago, Illinois
Time: 8:05 ET | TV: FS Ohio,
NBCS Chicago
Opening Odds: Chicago -130
The Chicago Cubs took a big step in seizing control of the National League Central right out of the All-Star Break and look to continue that momentum against another division opponent starting Monday. The Cubs will open a three-game set with the last place Cincinnati Reds and their All-Star ace Luis Castillo, while Chicago counters with Kyle Hendricks. Chicago extended their lead to 2.5 games over the Milwaukee Brewers by sweeping the Pittsburgh Pirates over the weekend, scoring 22 runs in the process. Sunday’s 8-3 win was helped by the middle of the order – Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, and Victor Caratini – who each collected two hits, as the Cubs got all of their runs off starter Trevor Williams. The Reds will come to town after a wild weekend at Coors Field, dropping two of three and falling 6.5 games behind the Cubs. Cincinnati banged out 24 hits in Friday’s 17-9 win over the Rockies before falling 10-9 on Sunday. Right fielder Phillip Ervin went 1-for-3 Sunday with a triple and two runs scored after going 6-for-6 in Friday’s triumph.
Pitchers: Reds – Luis Castillo (8-3, 2.29 ERA) | Cubs – Kyle Hendricks (7-7, 3.49)
Castillo struck out two during a perfect fourth inning at Tuesday’s All-Star Game in Cleveland. His last regular start came on July 4th against Milwaukee where he allowed one hit while striking out nine over 7.2 scoreless innings. Castillo, who is 3-1 with a 3.21 ERA in eight road starts, has allowed just three runs in 12.1 innings in his two starts against the Cubs this season.
10 CENT MLB LINES & 1% CASH BACK
Hendricks two starts prior to the break were short as he makes his way back from a shoulder injury. In games at Pittsburgh and the Chicago White Sox, he threw a total of seven innings and allowed eight hits and four runs. He’s faced the Reds twice this season and had mixed results, pitching eight innings of one-run ball on May 14th and allowing three runs in six innings 10 days later, but struck out 16 over 14 innings of work.
The Cubs bats came alive this weekend but they’ll face a tough pitcher in Castillo, who has been pretty good in his career against them. I’m not trusting Hendricks after this shoulder injury until I see more from him. Look for the Reds to win the opener.
Check out who Bobby Babowski has on his Free MLB Picks page for Monday. He is 93-62 +2113 units on the season after a 7-1 run!
Pick: Reds +124
Monday’s Free Sports Picks – Bobby on Sizzling 7-1 Run!
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BETTING TRENDS:
Reds are 4-1 in their last 5 vs. National League Central.
Reds are 17-37 in their last 54 road games vs. a right-handed starter.
Reds are 2-6 in their last 8 after scoring 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Reds are 4-12 in their last 16 when their opponent scores 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Reds are 1-4 in their last 5 during game 1 of a series.
Reds are 1-4 in their last 5 after allowing 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Reds are 1-4 in their last 5 overall.
Reds are 1-4 in their last 5 games on grass.
Reds are 1-6 in their last 7 road games.
Reds are 0-4 in their last 4 games vs. a right-handed starter.
Reds are 10-4 in Castillo’s last 14 starts during game 1 of a series.
Reds are 5-2 in Castillo’s last 7 starts after allowing 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Reds are 2-6 in Castillo’s last 8 starts after scoring 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Cubs are 4-0 in their last 4 vs. National League Central.
Cubs are 4-0 in their last 4 home games.
Cubs are 5-1 in their last 6 overall.
Cubs are 5-1 in their last 6 games vs. a right-handed starter.
Cubs are 5-1 in their last 6 games on grass.
Cubs are 5-1 in their last 6 vs. a team with a losing record.
Cubs are 4-1 in their last 5 when their opponent allows 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Cubs are 6-2 in their last 8 when their opponent scores 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Cubs are 50-17 in their last 67 home games vs. a team with a losing record.
Cubs are 46-20 in their last 66 home games vs. a right-handed starter.
Cubs are 66-30 in their last 96 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
Cubs are 2-5 in their last 7 Monday games.
Cubs are 5-1 in Hendricks’ last 6 home starts.
Cubs are 4-1 in Hendricks’ last 5 home starts vs. a team with a losing record.
Cubs are 7-3 in Hendricks’ last 10 starts during game 1 of a series.
Cubs are 2-5 in Hendricks’ last 7 starts following a team loss in their previous game.
Under is 9-1-1 in Reds last 11 during game 1 of a series.
Over is 4-1-1 in Reds last 6 Monday games.
Over is 3-1-1 in Reds last 5 when their opponent scores 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Under is 8-3 in Reds last 11 road games vs. a team with a winning record.
Under is 23-9-1 in Reds last 33 overall.
Under is 23-9-1 in Reds last 33 on grass.
Under is 5-2 in Reds last 7 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
Under is 5-2 in Reds last 7 vs. National League Central.
Under is 39-16-1 in Reds last 56 road games.
Under is 17-7-1 in Reds last 25 games vs. a right-handed starter.
Under is 9-4 in Reds last 13 road games vs. a right-handed starter.
Under is 44-20-4 in Reds last 68 vs. a team with a winning record.
Under is 39-19-1 in Reds last 59 games following a loss.
Under is 5-1 in Castillo’s last 6 starts during game 1 of a series.
Under is 9-2 in Castillo’s last 11 road starts.
Under is 4-1 in Castillo’s last 5 Monday starts.
Under is 4-1 in Castillo’s last 5 starts following a Quality Start in his last appearance.
Under is 8-2 in Castillo’s last 10 starts when their opponent scores 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Under is 7-2 in Castillo’s last 9 starts after allowing 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Under is 16-5 in Castillo’s last 21 starts vs. a team with a winning record.
Under is 6-2 in Castillo’s last 8 road starts vs. a team with a winning record.
Under is 8-3 in Castillo’s last 11 starts vs. National League Central.
Under is 21-8 in Castillo’s last 29 starts on grass.
Under is 21-8 in Castillo’s last 29 starts overall.
Over is 4-1 in Cubs last 5 vs. National League Central.
Under is 4-1 in Cubs last 5 during game 1 of a series.
Over is 6-2-1 in Cubs last 9 Monday games.
Over is 8-3-2 in Cubs last 13 home games vs. a team with a losing record.
Over is 5-2-1 in Cubs last 8 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
Under is 7-1 in Hendricks’ last 8 home starts vs. a team with a losing record.
Under is 5-1 in Hendricks’ last 6 Monday starts.
Under is 4-1 in Hendricks’ last 5 starts with 7 or more days of rest.
Under is 13-4 in Hendricks’ last 17 starts vs. a team with a losing record.
Under is 20-7 in Hendricks’ last 27 starts vs. National League Central.
Under is 26-10 in Hendricks’ last 36 starts when their opponent allows 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Under is 20-8 in Hendricks’ last 28 starts during game 1 of a series.
Under is 41-17-1 in Hendricks’ last 59 home starts.
Under is 19-8 in Hendricks’ last 27 starts following a team loss in their previous game.
Under is 40-17 in Hendricks’ last 57 starts on grass.
Under is 40-17 in Hendricks’ last 57 starts overall.
Under is 43-20 in Hendricks’ last 63 starts after scoring 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Reds are 6-2 in the last 8 meetings.
Reds are 7-19 in the last 26 meetings in Chicago.
