Chicago Cubs at Cincinnati Reds 8/13/22 - MLB Picks & Predictions

The Great American Ball Park will play host to a Saturday evening MLB clash between the Chicago Cubs and the Cincinnati Reds. The Cubs (46-65) have won consecutive games and are 15 games off the pace in the NL Central Division race. On Thursday, SP Drew Smyly (5-6) fanned nine batters across five shutout frames to lead Chicago to a 4-2 victory over Cincinnati in the Field of Dreams game and you can find out who else is playing and where at our MLB picks page.

Thirty year old right-hander Adrian Sampson (0-3 3.83 ERA) will head to the hill for the Cubs in this contest. Last time out, Sampson gave up three runs in six innings during a 3-0 home loss versus Miami.

The Cincinnati Reds are in the midst of a four-game losing streak and are stuck in the NL Central Division basement. During Thursday’s loss, Cincinnati batters combined to go 1-for-12 with runners in scoring position and strike out 14 times. SP Nick Lodolo (3-4) surrendered all four runs and took the loss for the Reds, who fell to 44-67 on the year.

The Reds will counter with rookie right-hander Graham Ashcraft (5-2 3.94 ERA) on Saturday. Cincinnati has won four of Ashcraft’s previous five starts and he has allowed 13 runs over his last 30 plus frames.