Cincinnati comes into this game 8-3 in their last 11 games 2 of those 3 losses were 1 run losses. Cincinnati just won 2 of 3 in Los Angeles against the Dodgers where Cincinnati was a big underdog in all 3 games. Cincinnati is 4-1 against the Cubs this season including 3-0 in Chicago with 9-0 and two 8-5 wins. Cincinnati has scored at least 5 runs in all 5 games.

Cincinnati is starting Andrew Abbott in this game. Abbott is 6-2 in 10 career starts with a 1.90 ERA. Abbott has 66 strikeouts in 61.2 innings pitched. Cincinnati is 8-2 in Abbott’s starts with both losses being to Milwaukee. Abbott is 4-1 in 5 road starts with a 2.25 ERA.

Chicago comes into this game 10-2 in their last 12 games. Chicago had their 8 game winning streak snapped in their last game a 3-0 loss in St. Louis. While Chicago did have a great 10-2 stretch it came against Washington, St. Louis and the Chicago White Sox who have a combined 134-186 record this season.

Chicago is starting Marcus Stroman in this game. Stroman had a great start to the season but has not been the same pitcher recently. Stroman is 1-3 in his last 6 starts the Cubs are 2-4 during those 6 starts. Stroman has allowed 4 or more runs in 5 of his last 6 starts.

Both of these teams come into this game on recent hot streaks. Chicago has won 10 of 12 against bad teams all with losing records while Cincinnati has gone 8-3 against current playoff teams who all have winning records. Cincinnati has played Chicago well and have the starting pitching advantage in this game as well.

Pick: Cincinnati Reds ML