CHC vs CIN Prediction, Odds and MLB Picks for Today

Throw the records out. The fact that Cincy is priced as a viable threat here, all but says it at this point. It's Cubs-Reds at Great American Ball Park. Cincinnati has absolutely nothing to lose and Chicago arrives carrying all of the pressure. The Cubs are unquestionably the better baseball team. They are headed toward October, while Cincinnati is simply trying to finish out the schedule. But rivalry games don't always follow the script. The +122 price at its best is a glaring warning sign.

Cincinnati already took Friday's opener 6-4, and now the Reds get another opportunity to play spoiler at home against a divisional foe. In essence, the Reds are treating this as a playoff series and I have to like Red Stockings' prospects. We can break down the edges, Chicago owns them across the board from starting pitching to roster depth, but we go back to the price and the environment here. Things don't follow logic or reason in a NL Central feud like this one. The Great American Ball Park also creates volatility. One home run can become three runs very quickly, and the Reds possess enough offensive firepower to make whoever Chicago has out on the hill pay for mistakes. Meanwhile, Cincinnati can also play loose. Chicago can't. The Cubs are supposed to win this game. They are receiving the overwhelming majority of public support and carrying postseason expectations into enemy territory. Cincinnati gets to embrace the role of spoiler. Rivalry. Home 'dog. Live price. The Reds tick all the boxes.

Cubs vs Reds prediction: Cincinnati +122 (ML) available at time of publishing. Playable to +115.