CINCINNATI vs. CHICAGO CUBS 8/26/2018 MLB Odds, Pick & Preview

The Chicago Cubs have done a great job thus far of taking advantage of a seven-game homestand against struggling opponents, and they’ll try to complete a four-game sweep of the visiting Cincinnati Reds on Sunday. The Cubs are aiming for a fifth consecutive victory as they attempt to pad their four-game lead over St. Louis in the National League Central.

After scoring a single run in five straight contests, the Cubs have hammered out 28 runs during their four-game winning streak. Daniel Murphy, Kyle Schwarber and Javier Baez all belted homers in a 10-6 win Saturday as the Cubs took an 8-7 lead in the season series against the Reds. Chicago has won five straight meetings – its longest streak against Cincinnati since 2016. The last-place Reds dropped five of their last six overall and have not won a series on the road since before the All-Star break.

TV: 2:20 p.m. ET, FS Ohio (Cincinnati), WGN (Chicago)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Reds RH Homer Bailey (1-11, 6.21 ERA) vs. Cubs RH Kyle Hendricks (9-10, 4.04)

Bailey’s only win this season came May 12 against the Los Angeles Dodgers, and the Reds are 1-16 in his starts. The 32-year-old has posted quality starts in three of his last five outings, though, including one Monday at Milwaukee where he allowed three runs over six frames but lost his fourth straight start. Bailey is 8-4 with a 4.83 ERA in 19 starts against the Cubs, who touched him up for six runs over 4 2/3 innings in a loss May 18.

Hendricks took a tough-luck loss last time out, as he allowed two runs over seven innings in a 2-1 loss at Detroit – the 10th time this season the Cubs have scored only one run when he starts. The 28-year-old has pitched to a 3.62 ERA with 54 strikeouts and seven walks over his last nine starts. Hendricks is 4-2 with a 3.80 ERA in 12 starts against the Reds, but he has been tagged for eight runs (seven earned) over 10 2/3 innings across two meetings this season.

WALK-OFFS

1. Murphy, who is 7-for-19 with two homers and five RBIs in four games since joining the club, is 6-for-10 with two doubles and two homers versus Bailey.
2. Reds C Curt Casali is 8-for-17 with seven RBIs in his past five starts.

3. Baez is 12-for-26 with three home runs and eight RBIs during a six-game hitting streak.

PREDICTION: Cubs 7, Reds 4