TOM'S HIGH ROLLER DIVISION GAME OF THE WEEK
- Handicapper
- Tom Stryker
- League
- MLB
- Competition
- Chicago Cubs vs Cincinnati Reds
- Release Date
- 09/18/2025 09:46 AM
- Event Date
- 09/18/2025 07:15 PM
- Bet Type
- Moneyline
- Pick
-
Cincinnati Reds -135
(BetOnline)
- Outcome
- Win
- Analysis
- #956 REDS with Greene (-) over Cubs with Rea at 7:15 PM EST
Off four consecutive wins and with a playoff spot secured thanks to their win over the Pirates yesterday, the Cubs will suffer a hangover effect on their trip to the Great American Ball Park on Thursday night. Cincinnati is sitting 2.0-games back in its hunt for a ticket to the postseason and the Reds need to win 3-of-4 from the Cubbies in order to stay in the hunt for the final NL Wild Card spot.
Picking up the pearl for the hosts will be right-hander Hunter Greene. In 2025, No. 21 has made 17 starts and been tripped up for 31 earned runs and 69 hits in 92.2 innings of work. Hunter struck out 116 and walked 23 on his way to a 6-4 record with a 3.01 ERA. Facing the A's, Mets, and Blue Jays in three September outings, Green was clipped for seven earned runs and 10 hits in 15.2 frames. After the math, that adds up to a 1-0 mark with a 4.02 ERA.
Toeing the rubber for the visitors will be righty Colin Rea. So far this season, No. 53 has appeared in 30 games (25 starts) and been zapped for 69 earned runs and 149 hits in 146.2 innings of work. Colin whiffed 109 and walked 43 on his way to a 10-6 record with a 4.23 ERA. Lined up against the Devil Rays, Nats, Braves, and Giants in his last four trips to the bump, Rea was slammed for 13 earned runs and 23 hits in 19.1 frames. That's bad enough for a 0-1 mark with an elevated 6.05 ERA.
Technically speaking, this is an ideal spot for the home team. Cincinnati has won 57 of its last 108 when facing a right-handed starter, 40 of its last 74 when playing in the comforts of home, and 71 of its last 133 when priced as a favorite. On the visitors side of the field, Chicago has fallen in 71 of its last 130 when priced as a road underdog.
The Cubs got to celebrate their postseason spot yesterday. The Reds are still fighting for their chance. Take Cincinnati with Greene. Thanks and best of luck, Tom.