The Chicago Cubs have dropped two straight following an impressive eight-game winning streak and will hope to get back into the win column as ace Justin Steele takes the mound in search of his third straight victory.
Meanwhile, the Cincinnati Reds come into tonight’s contest on a solid 9-3 run of their own and will look to fight fire with fire in what could be another high-scoring contest.
Will the Reds run up the score again or will Steele shut the door and earn another win? Find out in our Reds vs. Cubs MLB picks and predictions for Tuesday, August 2.
Reds vs Cubs odds
Reds vs Cubs predictions
Tonight’s clash at Wrigley Field features two of the hottest teams in the majors with the Reds jumping to the top of the NL Central standings thanks to a 9-3 run over the last couple of weeks and the Cubs also climbing the division with a 10-3 stretch of their own.
While Cincinnati has been putting up some runs recently, Chicago has actually been even better in that department as the Cubs lead the majors in runs scored over the last week (40) as well as total runs since the All-Star break (109).
Chicago already boasts five batters with 10-plus RBI since the break, but it’s Cody Bellinger who's impressed the most over that span. The 2019 NL MVP has six home runs and 17 RBI while batting .364 over that span — accounting for a whopping 40% of his homers and 37% of his RBI this year.
Bellinger has cooled off with no RBI in five straight games so we won’t put all our eggs in that basket, but he still leads an explosive Cubs offense that has demonstrated plenty of pop over the last couple of weeks.
Chicago has scored at least five runs in 12 of its last 16 contests while also hitting that mark in six of its last seven meetings against Cincinnati. Look for the Cubs to cash the Over on 4.5 runs in this one.
My best bet: Cubs team total Over 4.5 (-110 at DraftKings)
Reds vs Cubs same-game parlay
Cubs TT Over 4.5 (-105)
Yan Gomes 2+ total bases (+180)
Justin Steele 5+ strikeouts (-285)
We’ll triple up on the Cubs for tonight’s same-game parlay as we bank on Yan Gomes and Justin Steele to cash some props.
Gomes has been one of Chicago's many standout performers of late, knocking a team-high 12 hits and 20 total bases over the last week to go along with a lofty .480 average. The catcher enters play on a nine-game hit streak and has recorded at least two total bases in three straight outings and seven of his last eight.
Steele is not a strikeout pitcher per se, with a fastball that averages just 92 mph, but he tends to give the Cubs at least six innings while averaging just under one K per inning. The southpaw has recorded at least five Ks in five of his last six starts, so he should be a relatively safe bet to cash the Over on five strikeouts tonight.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
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Reds vs Cubs moneyline and Over/Under analysis
The Cubs opened as the -150 favorite at home and saw their edge climb as high as -175 at some books by Tuesday morning. While the Reds have been good and do have an impressive track record against the Cubs with seven wins in their last nine meetings, I still think Chicago has the edge.
Not only do the Cubs have the offensive advantage, averaging 6.41 runs per game since the break to the Reds’ 4.24, but they also have a clear edge on the mound. Steele’s 2.87 ERA ranks second in the National League behind only Blake Snell (2.50) of the Padres, while the Reds are sending Ben Lively to the mound. Cincinnati’s starter has not been bad by any means, particularly over his last six starts in which he’s held opponents to two earned runs or less five times, but you would expect the potential Cy Young candidate to outduel him.
Tonight’s total is set at 8.5 runs and the Over is the clear play with both offenses having more than enough juice to run up the score. The Cubs should lead the way in this department as they’ve averaged 6.11 runs over their last nine contests, while these clubs have cashed the Over in seven straight meetings.
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Trend to know
The Over is 22-13 in Chicago’s last 35 home games. Find more MLB betting trends for Reds vs. Cubs
Reds vs Cubs game info
| Location: | Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL |
| Date: | Tuesday, August 1, 2023 |
| First pitch: | 8:05 p.m. ET |
| TV: | BSOH, MARQ |
Starting pitchers
Ben Lively (4-6, 3.76 ERA): After a rocky June where he posted a 6.17 ERA over four starts, Lively turned things around in July with a 3.00 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP in four appearances. The right-hander hasn’t gone very deep into ballgames of late, though, pitching through the fifth inning just twice in his last five outings.
Justin Steele (11-3, 2.87 ERA): Steele will look to keep up a strong string of play and join Taijuan Walker as just the second pitcher to reach the 12-win mark this season. After giving up a season-worst 10 hits and six earned runs to the Red Sox on July 16, the left-hander bounced back with two solid starts, allowing just three earned runs over his last 12 1/3 innings.
