Chicago @ Cincinnati picks
Great American Ball Park
CHC vs CIN Picks
MLB Picks
I think Hunter Greene’s cruising for a slight bruising here against a complete Chicago Cubs offense, and on the other side of the coin the Cincinnati Reds stand just 25th in wRC+ to lefties which can’t be what you want to hear if you’re looking to bet on the home team. Matthew Boyd isn’t just any lefty, either, he’s been a revelation for a Cubs staff which has been riddled with injury. His 2.98 ERA is backed by a solid 3.40 xERA and a solid strikeout to walk ratio, and while he’s a fellow fly-baller like Greene he’s done a much better job of limiting barrels even if he’s allowing runners more consistently. This could be a game which comes down to one or two big blows, and I trust the Cubs to land them.


Seiya Suzuki is having a solid campaign for the Cubbies, hitting .253 with 12 home runs and 43 RBI. He ranks Top 10 in the majors in long balls and has gone deep three times in his last nine contests. Suzuki is a consistent power threat, and there’s reason to believe he could smack No. 13 today. Hunter Greene returns from the IL for the Reds and although he is an electric starter with fantastic numbers, Suzuki has had success against the flamethrower. He’s 6-for-13 lifetime with two homers and six RBI. The Japanese outfielder has Greene’s number.


Left-hander Matthew Boyd takes the mound for Chicago tonight and is a strong candidate to back. Through nine starts this season, Boyd is 4-2 with a 2.98 ERA and 1.23 WHIP. Specifically, the southpaw is worth targeting in the strikeout market. He ranks in the top third of the league in both chase rate and strikeout rate. Boyd has recorded more than 6.5 strikeouts in each of his past three starts.

Cubs southpaw Matthew Boyd has pitched to a 2.98 ERA through nine starts and the Reds bat just .206 against lefties. Boyd has been terrific his first time through a lineup, posting an OBA of .181 against batters in their first plate appearance. Cincy will send ace Hunter Greene and his 2.36 ERA to the hill. Greene has a 2.25 ERA with an OBA of .111 in the opening frame.









