Cincinnati Reds at Chicago Cubs MLB Betting Odds Analysis

The baseball betting action gets an early start on Tuesday as the Cincinnati Reds visit the Chicago Cubs in a matinee start at Wrigley Field — the only afternoon game on the schedule. And there will be live betting odds available with it nationally televised by the MLB Network. The Cubs are big favorites on MLB odds; the total won’t be set until closer to the first pitch as determined by which direction the wind is blowing.

Brief Look at the Cincinnati Reds at Chicago Cubs MLB Betting Odds Analysis & TV Info

Having a blast at home today! Happy #4thOfJuly, @Cubs fans! ⚾️ pic.twitter.com/mxDJz74Ba8

— Clark the Cub (@ClarktheCub) July 4, 2016

When: Tuesday, July 5, 2:20 PM ET Where: Wrigley Field, Chicago Probable pitchers (away/home): Brandon Finnegan/John Lackey TV: MLB Network Opening MLB Lines: Cubs -223, Reds +206; total: TBA

Reds at Cubs Game Background

The Reds are not a good team and just fired pitching coach Mark Riggins. He takes the fall for a pitching staff that has produced a league-worst 5.51 ERA through the first half of the 2016 season. The bullpen is on pace to be one of the worst in baseball history by some measures. Cincinnati’s pitchers are almost a lock at this point to set a new record for home runs allowed. Riggins was hired as pitching coach prior to the 2016 season after previously serving as pitching coordinator for the minor-league system. But the 2016 season has been worse than expected from a pitching standpoint. Mack Jenkins has been promoted from bullpen coach to pitching coach, and Triple-A Louisville pitching coach Ted Power will take over Jenkins’ old job. Reds manager Bryan Price might be the next to be fired. The Reds are also likely to trade outfielder Jay Bruce, and he has said he’s willing to waive his no-trade clause to stay in the state of Ohio and play with the AL Central-leading Cleveland Indians. The Indians are beginning to run away with the AL Central and they have a need at outfield with Michael Brantley still recovering from biceps and shoulder injuries. The Cubs remain World Series betting favorites despite being swept four games over the weekend by the New York Mets in an NLCS rematch from last year; the Mets swept the Cubs then too. Chicago really misses center fielder and leadoff hitter Dexter Fowler. Fowler ran curves and zig-zags without issue on Monday at Wrigley Field. He has been on the disabled list since June 19 with a hamstring strain. Fowler probably won’t be activated before the All-Star break. The Cubs also put fellow outfielder Chris Coghlan on the DL on Sunday with a right rib cage injury. The team recalled 3B Jeimer Candelario from Triple-A Iowa to take his spot. Candelario, 22, entered the season ranked by Baseball America as the club’s No. 10 prospect and has batted .249/.359/.428 with seven homers between Double- and Triple-A. Cincinnati starts lefty Brandon Finnegan (3-7, 4.48) in this one. He was crushed Thursday by the Nationals. He lasted just 2.1 innings, allowing eight runs, five hits and five walks while striking out two in the loss. It was easily Finnegan’s worst performance of the season. He had managed to last at least four innings in all of his previous 16 outings, and never gave up more than five runs before running into the Nationals. Finnegan is 0-1 with a 5.91 ERA in two starts vs. the Reds this year. The Cubs go with John Lackey (7-4, 3.27). Lackey allowed two runs on five hits and two walks while striking out five over 6.1 innings, but received no decision Thursday at the Mets. Lackey had a 3-0 lead entering the bottom of the sixth inning, but he gave up runs in the sixth and seventh innings, and the bullpen was unable to hold onto the one-run lead after he left the contest. He’s now held opponents to three or fewer runs in 11 of his last 12 starts. Lackey is 1-1 with a 5.84 ERA this year vs. the Reds.

Expert Betting Prediction

The Cubs have dominated the Reds so far this season so stick with them on betting lines for this one.