Reds at Cubs 9/16/19 - MLB Picks & Predictions

Last Updated: 09/15/2019 at 5:32 PM ET

On Monday, the Cincinnati Reds visit Wrigley Field to open a three-game series against the Chicago Cubs. The Reds lost on Saturday to the Arizona Diamondbacks 1-0. Starter Merrill Kelly and two members of the Reds bullpen stymied Cincinnati hitters. Reds starter Anthony DeSclafani fell to 9-9 but allowed only one hit in seven innings. 

The Cubs defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates 14-1 on Saturday for their third straight victory. Chicago has scored a combined 31 runs in its last two games. Kris Bryant and Nico Hoerner both hit homers among their three hits apiece. The Cubs as a team hit four out of the park. With the win, Chicago moved to three games behind first place St. Louis in the National League Central.

Jose Iglesias is leading Cincinnati with a .286 batting average. Eugenio Suarez leads in home runs with 45, RBIs with 98 and in hits with 142. Cincinnati is batting .246 while opponents are averaging .239. On Monday, the Reds will send Sonny Gray to the mound. The right-hander is 10-7 with an Era of 2.80, 190 Ks and 63 BBs. 

Anthony Rizzo is leading the Cubs with a .289 batting average. Javier Baez leads in hits with 149. Kyle Schwarber leads in home runs with 35 and Anthony Rizzo in RBIs with 93. Chicago is averaging .250 at the plate, while opposing hitters are averaging .248. On Monday, the Cubs will send Cole Hamels to the mound. The southpaw is 7-7 with an ERA of 3.89, 131 Ks and 51 BBs.

Cincinnati is not in any race for the postseason but will play spoiler the final two weeks of the season. The Reds have won 10 of Sonny Gray’s last 12 starts versus an opponent from the NL Central, 14 of the right-hander’s last 17 starts versus and opponent with a winning record and 16 of their hurler’s last 21 starts overall. Final Score Prediction, Cincinnati Reds win 5-2.

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