<p>
After splitting the first two games of this three-game series, the Cubs and Reds meet for a rubber match Thursday evening in Cincy. Which way are we playing this game with our <a href="https://www.sportsbettingstats.com/mlb&quot; title="Free MLB Picks">free MLB pick</a>?
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<h2>
MLB Betting Odds<br />
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<p>
Thursday's MLB betting odds opened Cincinnati and Castillo at around -120 over Chicago and Quintana, with an over/under of eight runs. Early betting action then bumped that total to nine.
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<h2>
Cubs vs. Reds Set-Up<br />
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<p>
Chicago took the opener of this series Tuesday night 3-1, but Cincinnati rallied to take Wednesday night's game 6-5 in 10 innings. The Reds trailed the Cubs 5-3 into the bottom of the eighth inning Wednesday but tied the game with two runs, then won it with a run in the bottom of the tenth.
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<p>
Even with Wednesday's loss the Cubs are 13-3 over their last 16 games.
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<p>
With Wednesday's victory, Cincy is 4-2 over its last six games.
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<p>
At 25-15 overall Chicago leads the NL Central by a game and a half over second-place Milwaukee, and by 7.5 games over 19-24 Cincinnati.
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<p>
This series is the first meeting between these divisional rivals this season. Last year the Cubs took the season series from the Reds 11 games to eight.
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<h2>
Thursday's Starting Arms<br />
</h2>
<p>
Castillo is 6/9 on quality starts this season and four for his last five. Last Friday he held San Francisco scoreless on two hits, with 11 strikeouts, through six innings of a 7-0 Cincinnati win. And over his last five outings, he's allowed just seven runs and 23 hits through 31 2/3 innings, with 38 whiffs.
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<p>
The Reds are 5-4 with Castillo this season.
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<p>
Over five starts last year against Chicago Castillo allowed 13 earned runs and 25 hits through 24 2/3 innings. Cincinnati won three of those five games.
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<p>
Lefty Quintana is 5/7 on quality starts this season, working on two in a row. Last Friday he gave up three runs and four hits through 6 2/3 innings against the Brewers, although the Cubbies lost that game 7-0. And just before that he held St. Louis to two runs through six innings of a 13-5 Chicago win.
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<p>
On the season the Cubs are 5-2 with Quintana.
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<p>
Over four starts last year against the Reds Quintana allowed eight runs and 21 hits through 22 innings. Chicago split those four games.
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<h2>
Thursday's Batting Splits<br />
</h2>
<p>
Chicago is batting .262/.351/.453 against right-handed pitching this season. But this lineup could be without a critical left-handed stick in Anthony Rizzo, who's missed recent action with a sore back.
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<p>
Cincinnati is batting .243/.323/.442 against left-handed pitching this season.
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<h2>
The Bullpens<br />
</h2>
<p>
The Cubs bullpen owns a 3.92 ERA this season, along with a 1.41 WHIP.
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<p>
The Reds bullpen owns a 3.23 ERA and a 1.24 WHIP.
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<h2>
Totals Report<br />
</h2>
<ul>
<li>
Overs are 21-19 in Cubs games this season.
</li>
<li>
Unders are 27-15 in Reds games this season.
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<li>
Unders are 11-8 in games played at Great American Ballpark this season.
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<li>
Unders are 7-2 with Castillo this season.
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</ul>
<p><section></p>
<ul>
<li>
<span style="font-size:16px;"><b><span style="color:#008000;">Get more details:</span></b> <a class="advblue" href="https://www.sportsbettingstats.com/mlb/matchup/1076478">Chicago at Cincinnati MLB Match-up Stats </a></span>
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</ul>
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