Reds vs. Cubs: Free MLB Picks and Game Predictions

Posted December 20, 2019

The Chicago Cubs and their supporters would’ve gathered off like water on a duck’s back, before their 100 + year old curse struck a few seasons ago. The 2016 World Series name changed all that after Tuesday’s drawback to the Cincinnati Reds dropped the Cubs with the Brewers for the next NL Wild Card.
Cincinnati’s win helped the Reds to the season series name with Chicago to the rubber game of the set on Wednesday, also meeting of 2019. Tyler Mahle (2-11, 5.11) is upwards for Cincinnati, whereas Jon Lester (13-10, 4.59) increases the bump for the Cubbies that are chalked around -175 on the MLB Odds board.
Chicago never uttered the 3-run blast in the initial of Kyle Schwarber, in Monday’s series opener causing the Cubs. Schwarber was back in it Tuesday night with a triple and triple among his three hits, as the Reds constructed a guide that is quick off Yu Darvish on their way to a 4-2 triumph in a match the Cubs -160 shut but it was not enough. This set’s closing stopped a string of’overs’ for Chicago.
Even a demotion to the minors in July does not seem to have helped Mahle considerably, the righthander pitching into a 6.43 ERA and allowing 4 HR at 14 IP in 3 starts this month since being remembered. He faced the Cubs in May in Wrigley, while downing 3 HR Mahle start against them at 2019, and had been roughed up for six runs in five innings.
Lester picked up his third win in four missions last Friday against the Pirates, though it had to do with Chicago’s bats than his arm. The 35-year-old was charged with seven runs (4 earned) in five innings, leaving him with the 8.43 ERA in his last four home starts. Cincinnati was come in by both of the starts this season against the Reds, those excursions dividing. Eugenio Suarez has appreciated confronting Lester, going five occasions and batting .359 in 39 career at bats.
The show wraps up with Tony Randazzo at the dish, the veteran umpire 10-8 O/U at 2019 following the totals were hurdled by five of the final seven plate assignments. It is the Chicago native’s first time in the dish Wrigley since Game 5 of the 2016 World Series. One note is home favorites up to -180 are only 1-3 this season with Randazzo calling balls and strikes.
It needs to be a great night on Chicago’s North Side with temps in the 70s under clear skies, and only a light SE breeze (right to left). My MLB pick is going to be to bounce back in a major way and pay a run line.
Free MLB Select: Cubs -11/2 (+110) in 5Dimes

Willie’s MLB season selections album: 105-114-5 (-3.30 components )