Cincinnati Reds vs. Chicago Cubs Betting Preview
Where: Wrigley Field, Chicago
When: Tuesday, May 16, 2017, 8:05 PM ET
Line: Cincinnati Reds vs. Chicago Cubs – view all MLB lines
TV Broadcast: ESPN
MLB World Series News and Previews
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Betting on the Cincinnati Reds (19-18)
Bronson Arroyo sure likes pitching in front of the Reds’ offense. Despite a 5.94 ERA, the 16-year veteran owns a winning 3-2 record coming into tonight’s ball game.
Arroyo, however, isn’t relying that much on his team’s offense of late. Arroyo has allowed two earned runs in three of his last four starts, a stretch that includes a 3-2 road win over San Francisco on May 11, when the righty gave up a pair of runs on six hits in six innings of action to walk away with a no-decision.
In 15 career starts at Wrigley Field, Arroyo is 8-4 with a 3.13 ERA.
As for the offense, the Reds are looking to get to Cubs pitcher John Lackey again. Cincinnati got six hits against Lackey in a 7-5 home win back in Apr. 23. Billy Hamilton is 9-for-26 (.346) lifetime against Lackey. Eugenio Suarez, meanwhile, is also 9-for-26 with a homer in the same head-to-head matchup.
Betting on the Chicago Cubs (18-19)
The Cubs are still waiting to sober up from their World Series hangover. After going 2-7 in their last nine games, the defending World Series champions are back under .500 with an 18-19 record.
The offense has been absent for the Cubs the last two games, coming up with just three runs in those games, including a 5-0 shutout road loss to St. Louis last Sunday.
Kris Bryant wasn’t there to help the club, as he was absent during the St. Louis series due to illness. He’s expected to be back tonight so that’s going to be an added threat at the plate for Arroyo, who has been one of the most susceptible pitchers to home runs in the majors today. Bryant paces the Cubs in batting average (.299) and homers (7).
Arroyo is giving up 2.23 homers per nine innings pitched this season—seventh highest among starters with at least 30 innings logged on the mound.
Miguel Montero has Arroyo’s numbers and he could come up big again tonight. The catcher is 8-for-19 with three blasts off Arroyo.
Lackey, who makes a start in the series opener, is 3-3 with a 4.29 ERA so far this year.
Writer’s Prediction
Chicago wins, 5-3.
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