The Chicago Cubs look to continue their dominance over NL Central rival Cincinnati when the clubs hook up for the second of a four-game set. The Cubs won seven of the first nine between the teams with five games decided by one run.
ODDS ANALYSIS
The Cubs added another of their prized young hopefuls to the roster with the addition Kyle Schwarber to the lineup. The team’s No. 2 prospect is expected to get some innings behind the plate in this series, but the Cubs continue to struggle scoring runs even with the tools their youngsters possess. The Cubbies are clinging to the second wild card in the NL behind a pitching staff that has the best WHIP in the majors and the fourth-best ERA. The Cubs have allowed just six runs in their last four games while cashing the under in each one.
Chicago has taken seven of the first nine games in the season series up 3.82 units and swept the Reds in a two-game set in Great American Ball Park in late April scoring 12 runs total. The third game of that series was rained out forcing Wednesday’s doubleheader.
PITCHING MATCHUP
The All-Star break came at a good time for Jason Hammel (5-4, 2.86 ERA), who came out of his last start on July 8 because of left hamstring tightness. He threw just 12 pitches in that outing before exiting. An MRI did not reveal any structural damage and he threw a side session Saturday with no issues.
Hammel is winless in his last six starts. He surrendered seven hits and four runs (two earned) over five innings getting a no-decision in a game the Reds won 5-4 on June 12 and carries a 4.98 career ERA over 34.1 innings against them.
Raisel Iglesias (1-2, 5.90 ERA) is still trying to find his groove and will be making just his second start since a disabled list stint that began on June 5. He returned on July 11 and was roughed up for five earned runs in 4.1 innings at Miami and was charged with five earned in each of his last two starts. He owns a 5.54 ERA over 26 innings in his five starts.
Iglesias will be facing the Cubs for the first time in his career.
QUOTE TO NOTE
“There’s nothing Schwarber has to show me. I think he’s done great. It’s an experience thing over a confidence thing. [David] Ross has all the experience. I have all the confidence in the world in Schwarber.” – Cubs manager Joe Maddon on the team’s No. 2 prospect catcher Kyle Schwarber, who is expected to start three of the four games against Cincinnati.
LIVE BETTING or SITUATIONAL BETTING
Does the Home Run Derby adversely affect the swings of its participants? Some suggest it does and the recent struggles of Cincinnati’s Todd Frazier are an example. The Reds third baseman took around 36 swings per round in his dramatic Derby win and he wasn’t trying to push singles to right field. He started the second half of the season going hitless in 10 at-bats in a weekend series with Cleveland. He was given the day off Sunday, though he did strike out in a pinch hit role. But Frazier’s struggles at the plate began long before the All-Star break. Since June 25 his batting average dropped from 294 to .276 and he hasn’t homered in a regular season game since June 28. Since July 5 he’s batting just .162 (6 for 37) with three RBIs.
PROP TALK
With catcher Miguel Montero on the disabled list with a sprained thumb, the Cubs recalled their No. 2 prospect Kyle Schwarber for a second time this season. Though still considered a work in progress behind the plate, Schwarber can hit and, according to manager Joe Maddon, will get a look in this series. Recalled last month to DH when the Cubs played at Cleveland and Minnesota, Schwarber hit .381 (8 for 21) during six games and then was promptly sent back down to Triple-A. But for a club in need of some punch, the reward outweighs the risk. Schwarber has 11 hits in 27 at-bats and has nearly as many hits as the team’s catching duo of David Ross and Taylor Teagarden, who have combined for 16 and a .180 batting average.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
While the Cubs hold down a wild card spot into the second half of the season, the Reds are wondering what their roster will look like in a few weeks. Several players, including Johnny Cueto, Aroldis Chapman and Jay Bruce have been rumored heading elsewhere prior to the deadline and that has to be bothersome in the clubhouse. The Cubs have dominated the Reds this season because they are a better team. Hammel returns from his hamstring injury and continues his pleasant run to lead the Cubs.
Chicago 6, Cincinnati 3
The MLB lines for this contest will first be released by BookMaker Sportsbook. Since this game can be seen by anyone with a TV, BookMaker will have a multitude of wagering options available for it. Outside of the normal lines, you can gamble on real-time moneylines, player props and inning totals. Live betting is open during every commercial break!
Access live betting lines from your mobile device at BookMaker Sportsbook! You can wager on sporting events as they unfold on television with BookMaker’s live betting platform. Real-time spreads, totals, props and moneyline odds are all available by clicking here so start betting with BookMaker today! The ballgame pitting the Chicago Cubs versus the Cincinnati Reds will commence Tuesday, July 21, 2015, at 7:10 p.m. ET at Great American Ball Park. You can watch the contest live on the MLB Network.
