Cubs at Reds 5/19/18 - Game 1 - MLB Picks & Predictions

NL Central Division rivals will clash on Saturday afternoon, when the Chicago Cubs and Cincinnati Reds continue their weekend series from the Great American Ball Park. Last night, Addison Russell reach base safely in all five plate appearances to spark Chicago to an 8-1 victory. SP Jon Lester (4-1) struck out eight batters and allowed just two hits over six frames to earn the win.

Chicago skipper Joe Maddon will turn to twenty-eight year old righty Kyle Hendricks (3-3 3.20 ERA) in this contest. Through 50 plus innings, Hendricks has allowed nine home runs and owns a solid 1.08 WHIP. The Cincinnati Reds have lost 30 of their first 45 games to start the season and are one of the worst teams in the majors. On Friday, the Reds managed just two hits and struck out 15 times. Cincinnati SP Homer Bailey was tagged for ten hits and six runs over four plus innings.

Talented right-hander Luis Castillo (3-4 6.02 ERA) will get the nod for the Reds on Saturday. Castillo has won consecutive starts and has allowed four runs over his last 11 plus innings of work.