Written by :
Published on :
The Cincinnati Reds have fallen into the abyss and are engaged in a battle they really can't win at the moment. Things started to go south just before the All-Star break, losing six of eight. They have gotten even worse lately, with eight straight losses while posting just one win in their last 15 contests. Making matters worse, the Reds are up against a nasty betting system as they take on the Cubs on Wednesday. No wonder 85% of bettors are backing Chicago at Sportsbook.com.
The offense in particular is to blame, having nine hits as the high water mark in the last 11 games. The Cincinnati bats have generated an atrocious 3.1 runs per game during stretch and they have lacked pitching support as bailout backup plan, since they have been outscored by almost three runs per game (2.93) during this horrendous period.
It doesn't figure to get any easier tonight against their division rival Chicago Cubs (57-48, -0.4 units). The Cubs are a National League-best 14-5 (+8.85) since the All-Star break and are mere percentage points ahead of St. Louis for the lead in the NL Central. With two victories already in hand in the series, the Cubs have won six in a row over the Reds this season.
Chicago will go for the sweep behind Rich Harden (7-6, 4.50 ERA), who has worked out mechanical issues. Harden was having difficulties with his stride, causing him to throw everything up in the strike zone. Since making corrections with his delivery, Harden has a 1.50 ERA in his last four starts while picking up two wins. The right-hander has been sterling on the road all year with 4-1 record and 2.19 ERA in eight assignments.
With Cincinnati scoring a measly 2.6 runs per game in this eight-game losing streak, they are +165 home underdogs according to Sportsbook.com and run up against this money-making system.
Play Against all underdogs with a money line of +150 or more, who is cold hitting team - batting .200 or worse over their last three games, against an opponent with a sizzling starting pitcher, with WHIP 1.000 or less over his last five starts.
With the Reds 4-15 at Great American Ballpark after five straight games with less than 10 hits, it is even more difficult to combat a system that is 40-4, 90.9 percent since 2005. The Cubs are bashing bad baseball teams like the Reds and are 9-0 vs. clubs outscored by opposition by 0.5 or more runs a game in the second half of the season.
Take a close look at playing against Cincy the results are in your favor to be satisfied.
