The Chicago Cubs are taking care of business on this home stand, achieving two series wins over AL Central foes the Minnesota Twins and the Detroit Tigers. Now the Cubs close the home stand by welcoming the division rival Cincinnati Reds to Wrigley Field. This will be the Redlegs first visit to the Friendly Confines this season.
Yes, despite being a much more talented team and possessing a superior record, the Cubs have indeed struggled mightily with the Reds.
However, if you are the sort who does some betting with matchbook or just engages in wagering on MLB in general, you might want to back the Cubs this weekend. The Cubs have won six in a row overall, and seven in a row at home. Since that embarrassing series sweep by these same Reds a couple weeks go, the Cubs have turned it around to go 7-2, and they are currently finding their groove within various parts of their lineup.
Additionally, the Chicago Cubs have a tremendous advantage when it comes to the pitching match-ups in this one. The Cubs’ three starters for this series have a 3.98 better combined ERA than Cincy’s three hurlers.
As the Chicago Tribune points out, the Cubs have the rotation set so that their ace Jon Lester can pitch in the MLB All-Star game next week. The former Boston Red Sox man will throw in the series finale of this one.
Chicago Cubs vs Cincinnati Reds Series FYIs
Friday, July 6, Chicago Cubs vs. Cincinnati Reds, 1:20 p.m.
Pitching Matchup: Mike Montgomery, LHP (3-2, 3.55 ERA, 1.212 WHIP) vs. Tyler Mahle, RHP (6-6, 3.83 ERA, 1.418 WHIP)·
Promotion: Anthony Rizzo Silhouette Cap, up to the first 10,000 early arriving fans
Broadcast: NBC Sports Chicago, MLB Network, 670 The Score, WRTO 1200, Cubs.com
Saturday, July 7, Chicago Cubs vs. Cincinnati Reds, 1:20 p.m.
Pitching Matchup :Tyler Chatwood, RHP (3-5, 4.54 ERA, 1.745 WHIP) vs. Matt Harvey, RHP (4-5, 4.91 ERA, 1.252 WHIP)
First pitch and 7th inning stretch: San Francisco 49ers kicker and former Bears kicker Robbie Gould
Broadcast: NBC Sports Chicago, MLB Network, 670 The Score, Cubs.com
Sunday, July 8, Chicago Cubs vs. Cincinnati Reds, 1:20 p.m.
Pitching Matchup: Jon Lester, LHP (11-2, 2.25 ERA, 1.150 WHIP) vs. Luis Castillo, RHP (5-8, 5.53 ERA, 1.378 WHIP, 4.77 FIP)
Promotion: Plush Clark toy, up to the first 5,000 early arriving children 13 and younger
First pitch: Horrifyingly unfunny actor and maker of terribly unwatchable movies Jay Chandrasekhar
Broadcast: WGN, 670 The Score, Cubs.com
Postgame: Kids Run the Bases, first 1,000 children 13 and under
Prediction: Chicago Cubs Sweep 3-0
The Cubs bats are booming right now, and they’ll get the chance to tee off against a pitching staff that ranks 26th out of 30 in runs allowed. Also, the Cubs have been really good at home this season while the Reds have been rather poor on the road.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, is currently a regular contributor to SB Nation, WGN CLTV and Chicago Now.
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