Reds vs Cubs Prediction - MLB Picks 7/31/23

Chicago Cubs (53-52) vs Cincinnati Reds (58-49)

Game Info: Monday, July 31, 2023 at 8:05 pm (Wrigley Field)

Marcus Stroman (10-7) (3.51) vs Andrew Abbott (6-2) (1.90)

Betting Odds: Chicago Cubs -156 / Cincinnati Reds +120 --- Over/Under: 8 Click Here for the Latest Odds

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The Cincinnati Reds will head to the Windy City to begin a divisional series with the Chicago Cubs this Monday from Wrigley Field.

Reds Betting Preview

Cincinnati moved to 58-49 after taking two of three from Los Angeles. The Reds have flipped the script over the second half of July, but they’ll look to avoid trading their eighth straight game here. The Cincinnati offense is scoring 3.78 runs per game, while batting .257, with a .334 on-base percentage. The pitching staff carries a 4.96 ERA, with a 1.46 WHIP.

Andrew Abbott (6-2, 1.90 ERA, 57 Ks) will get the ball for Cincinnati. The rookie southpaw got revenge on Milwaukee after handing him his first two MLB losses, striking out nine over six scoreless frames en route to his sixth win of the season. Abbott has enjoyed a brilliant beginning in the big leagues, as eight of his first ten outings have resulted in quality starts. This will mark Abbott’s first trip to Wrigley Field, but he’s allowed one run or less in four of five road spots, and he’ll look to slow the Cubs down here in game one.

Reds Player Trends & Props

• Spencer Steer plated a run in all three matchups with LAD, and he leads the team in hits (103), home runs (15), with 58 RBI.

• Elly De La Cruz homered and recorded four hits in the game three win, and he’s batting .277, with 37 runs scored thru 46 games.

• Joey Votto also had a big game on Sunday, going hard and plating three runs to bring his season total to 25 RBI thru 32 contests.

• Jake Fraley produced runs in both wins over the Dodgers, and he leads Cincy in RBI (62), with fifteen home runs.

Cubs Preview & Projected Starter

Chicago comes in at 53-52 after taking three of four from St. Louis. The Cubs came down to earth Sunday, but they’ve put themselves back in the playoff picture with an eight-game win streak, and will look to keep things going against Cincy here. The Chicago offense is scoring 4.12 runs per game, while batting .243, with a .323 on-base percentage. The pitching staff carries a 4.18 ERA, with a 1.28 WHIP.

Marcus Stroman (10-7, 3.51 ERA, 109 Ks) will get the call for Chicago. The ninth-year pitcher was roughed up in his Windy City Showdown matchup with the White Sox last week, allowing a season-worse seven runs in just 3.1 innings, but he somehow avoided the losing decision. Stroman’s regression here in July is alarming, but with the Cubs starting to turn things around, they’ll look for him to regain his May/June form. A tough task awaits him with Cincy coming to town Monday.

Cubs Player Trends & Props

• Cody Bellinger has collected a hit in eight of the previous ten games, and he’s leading the Cubs in batting (.314), with fifteen home runs and 46 RBI.

• Christopher Morel brings a seven-game hit streak into this series, and he’s posting identical stats of sixteen homers and 48 RBI.

• Nico Hoerner has recorded a hit in five of the last seven contests, and he leads the Cubbies in hits (112) and RBI (57).

• Dansby Swanson has produced a run in five of the previous eight games, and he’s posting splits of .263/12/47.

• Longtime Cub Ian Happ went yard in the game three victory, and he’s averaging a line of .248/10/46.

Corey’s Free Pick

A month ago, we’re jumping on a hot Marcus Stroman getting a start at Wrigley, but as of late, his vulnerability has cost the Cubs games, and the Reds may find a way to get him tonight. Cincy comes into this contest with their best arm Andrew Abbott in great form, and I love taking the profitable shot with them here. The Over feels very attainable too, but let’s back Cincinnati Monday in game one.