Cincinnati will aim to take three of four from Chicago and climb closer to the second wild card spot with a win in the September 3rd Cubs at Reds betting matchup. David Ross’ club gave up two runs in the bottom of the 9th inning on Saturday night as the Reds rallied for a 2-1 victory.
The Cubs took the opener 6-2 on Friday but then lost the nightcap of a doubleheader 3-2. Chicago maintains a two game lead over Cincinnati for the second wild card spot, so the stakes are high in Sunday’s series finale. Despite losing two in a row, the North Siders are still -130 favorites in this spot.
Why Chicago Has Value on Sunday
Chicago is just two runs and a couple outs away from playing for the sweep in the September 3rd Cubs at Reds betting matchup. Cincinnati has scored 4 runs in the bottom of the 9th inning the last two games to get the 3-2 win on Friday night and the 2-1 victory on Saturday.
Obviously the Cubs will need to be better on the back end in Sunday’s series finale, but they may get some more help from their offense in this matchup. Chicago bats have been relatively quiet the last two days, but they’ll get to face Double-A callup Carson Spiers who is making his MLB debut.
Chicago goes with Jameson Taillon (7-9, 5.62 ERA) who is ready for a fresh September slate after allowing 4+ runs in three of his last four starts in August. Taillon did pick up the win over Cincinnati on August 3rd, throwing 5.0 IP while allowing just 2 ER.
Why the Reds Have Value on Sunday
There is a certain momentum that comes with scratching out two straight 9th inning wins to gain a victory when a loss seemed imminent. Those two late victories have given the Reds the chance to be just 1GB of the 2nd wild card spot with a win on Sunday.
Spiers is largely an unknown as he makes his MLB debut, but many times pitchers have the edge when batters are facing them for the first time and there isn’t a ton of tape out there. Spiers has gone 8-3 with a 3.69 ERA in Chattanooga this season.
The Reds know who they are facing on Sunday, and it’s a pitcher whose confidence has to absolutely be shattered right now. Taillon has allowed 4ER in each of his last two starts and had a disastrous outing on August 13th where he surrendered 8ER over just 3.0 IP in Toronto. Elly De La Cruz has gone deep in one of his two career ABs vs the Cubs starter.
Free September 3rd Cubs at Reds Betting Pick
There hasn’t been a ton of offense between these two teams the last two games and in fact all three games this weekend have gone ‘under’ the total (O/U 9.5). That could change with both clubs having pitching concerns on Sunday – the Cubs with a rattled Taillon and suddenly shaky bullpen and the Reds with a Double A callup due to a COVID-19 outbreak amongst their staff.
The side seems like a coin flip, with the better value being on the Reds. What this game really appears to be though is a high scoring affair.
Free Pick: Over 9.5
