Cubs vs. Reds Betting (May 25): Take Cubs as Betting Underdogs in Cincinnati

MLB fans will be treated to an NL Central matchup on Wednesday, May 25 when the Cincinnati Reds host the Chicago Cubs for the third meeting of their four-game series.

So far, the series has gone in the Cubs’ favor as they’ve won the first two games. What’s even more impressive is that they’ve been victorious in a big way, outscoring their rivals 18-8 after two games. Considering how bad Cincinnati has been during the 2022 campaign, another high-scoring affair isn’t out of the question.

On the other hand, it looked like the Reds were turning a corner when they went 8-4 from May 7 to May 19, but have since lost four of their last five games. Needless to say, it’s going to take a big effort to snap the recent skid.

Can the Cubs beat up on the Reds for the third straight game? Or will Cincinnati find a way to win at home?

Chicago Cubs vs. Cincinnati Reds May 25 Betting Odds and Matchup Information

Matchup Information

• Matchup: Chicago Cubs (18-24, 3rd in the NL Central) vs. Cincinnati Reds (12-30, 5th in the NL Central)
• Venue & Location: Great American Ball Park (Cincinnati, Ohio)
• Date: Wednesday, May 25, 2022
• Time: 6:40 p.m. ET
• How to Watch Today’s Cubs vs. Reds Game: MLB Extra Innings

Today’s Cubs vs. Reds Pitching Matchup

• Chicago Cubs: Kyle Hendricks (2022: 9 starts, 2-4, 4.89 ERA)
• Cincinnati Reds: Luis Castillo (2022: 3 starts, 0-2, 4.60 ERA)

Cubs vs. Reds Odds

Listed odds are via BetOnline as of May 25 at 10:20 a.m. ET. This article may also feature odds from our other top reviewed and recommended sportsbooks.

Moneyline

• Chicago Cubs +128
• Cincinnati Reds -152

Over/Under

• OVER 8.5 (-115)
• UNDER 8.5 (-105)

Run Line

• Chicago Cubs +1.5 (-166)
• Cincinnati Reds -1.5 (+138)

Can Cubs Extend Dominance Over Reds?

The playoffs might be a long shot for the Cubs, but beating up on lowly teams like the Reds is a necessity if they want to turn their fortunes around.

Chicago has had no issue doing that so far, proven by its 18 runs scored over the last two games. What the Cubs are loving even more is the fact that it’s several players contributing, not just one or two.

First baseman Frank Schwindel leads the Cubs with two home runs while batting .333 over the last two games, recording a team-high nine total bases over that stretch. That isn’t even to mention Ian Happ and Patrick Wisdom, who’ve both homered as well this series.

A total of eight Chicago players had multiple hits over the last two games, including five who have three. It’s certainly a small sample size against the worst team in baseball, the Cubs have to like what they see.

At the end of the day, it could come down to how Kyle Hendricks performs on the mound. He’s looked solid at times but gave up seven runs over 5.0 innings in his last outing of the season against the Arizona Diamondbacks on May 20.

The good news for Hendricks is that he’s 7-5 with a 4.32 ERA in 22 career starts against the Reds. If the Cubs are to win their fourth straight game, the veteran righty must call on that previous success.

Can Castillo Notch First Win of 2022 Season?

The Reds haven’t had much recent success against the Cubs, going 1-6 in the last seven games between the two rivals. If Cincinnati is to end this slump, starting pitcher Luis Castillo must get his first win of the season.

The former MLB All-Star began the season on the injured list due to a shoulder injury and only made his 2022 debut just over two weeks ago. Unfortunately, he hasn’t managed to get that elusive win yet, going 0-2 in three starts.

The bright side for the Reds is that Castillo has been getting better with each start. His innings pitched have trended upward with each appearance and his last outing was, by far, his strongest of the year.

Castillo went for 6.0 innings in his last appearance against the Toronto Blue Jays on May 20, giving up only two runs on seven hits while striking out five batters. That’s the version of Castillo that Cincinnati knows he’s capable of being.

The main issue with his starts this season is that the Reds haven’t given him much run support. Although they scored 10 runs in Castillo’s debut where he didn’t get the decision, the Reds have scored just one run in each of his last two outings.

It doesn’t matter how well Castillo pitches tonight if the Reds’ bats go silent once again.

Cubs vs. Reds May 25 Prediction and Best Bets

Prediction: Cubs to win

Best bet: Cubs moneyline (+128 on BetOnline Sportsbook)

At the end of the day, it’s tough imagining the Reds winning after how much the Cubs have outplayed them in the first two games of the series. Cincinnati’s defense is struggling to stop a nosebleed and I imagine Chicago will walk away with its third straight victory.

The best way to get value out of a Cubs win is to take them as the +128 moneyline underdogs on BetOnline Sportsbook. Even if Hendricks doesn't play well on the mound, I trust the Cubs’ batters a lot more to win the game compared to the Reds’ group.

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