Reds vs Cubs Player Props, Picks & Best Bets

• The Chicago Cubs are -189 home favorites vs the Cincinnati Reds in NL Central action Friday
• Elly De La Cruz offers massive wagerable value to clear his total bases line
• Read below for the my Reds vs Cubs props, picks & best bets, as well as updated odds

Sitting atop the NL Wildcard standings, the Chicago Cubs (76-58) host the Cincinnati Reds (63-71) on Friday to kick off a three-game set.

The books like the home team in the opener, setting them as the favorite in the MLB odds.

Cincinnati is barely alive in the chase, nine game back of the Padres, who currently hold the third and final WC berth. There are four other teams in between Cincy and San Diego.

First pitch goes at 2:20pm ET from Wrigley Field in Chicago, with national broadcast coverage on ESPN Unlimited.

Read below for my Reds vs Cubs props, picks and best bets, as well as the latest odds.

CIN Reds vs CHI Cubs Props, Picks & Best Bets

The Cubs enter as hefty -217 moneyline home chalk, while Cincinnati sits as a +160 underdog. I expect a sturdy offensive showing with the run total sitting at 8.5. Despite a sub-.500 record, bettors should watch Cincinnati’s dynamic lineup, especially elite producers like Elly De La Cruz. Chicago is aiming to build momentum in this series, but the visitors bring plenty of spoiler potential.

Tyler Stephenson Over 0.5 Hits (-182 at bet365): I am isolating Stephenson for a bounce-back knock based on his dominant track record against Chicago starter David Peterson. He has gone an incredible 6-for-12 (.500 AVG) with five RBIs and just two strikeouts in his career against the southpaw. Over a 12 at-bat sample, a 50% hit rate provides a sturdy statistical foundation.

Stephenson has been quiet over his last 10 games, hitting .194 with 0.6 hits per contest. However, Peterson has been generous to opposing batters, yielding a 1.31 WHIP and 8.40 hits per nine innings over his 151 season outs.

Elly De La Cruz Over 1.5 Total Bases (-105 at BetMGM): De La Cruz has been swinging a ridiculously hot bat, averaging 1.4 hits per game over his last 10 appearances with a .318 average and an .862 OPS. The dynamic infielder also boasts solid history against Peterson. He owns a .333 average (3-for-9) with three RBIs and just one strikeout in this specific batter-versus-pitcher duel.

Peterson’s 3.93 ERA and 7.15 K/9 show he frequently pitches to contact, creating prime opportunities for extra bases. De La Cruz’s current momentum makes him a highly wagerable target today.

Ian Happ Over 1.5 Total Bases (+127 at Caesars): Happ presents excellent plus-money value given his recent tear at the plate. Over his last 10 games, the outfielder is slashing .303 with a massive 1.015 OPS, three home runs, and 1.0 hits per contest. He faces Cincinnati starter Rhett Lowder, the other half Friday’s MLB probable pitchers, who holds a vulnerable 5.13 ERA and 1.47 WHIP while averaging just 5.0 innings per start.

Happ is only 1-for-5 (.200 AVG) with two strikeouts against Lowder in a small career sample. However, Lowder’s tendency to allow heavy traffic (9.59 hits per nine) perfectly aligns with Happ’s power surge.

Reds vs Cubs Odds

The graphic above shows the best available odds, which are subject to change. Be sure to use the BetMGM promo code to bet on Reds vs Cubs or any other MLB game. And don’t forget to check the MLB batter vs pitcher stats to help you shape your wagers.

Chicago enters this matchup as -189 moneyline favorites at BetMGM, while getting +115 odds to win by at least two runs at bet365.

The Reds are getting +164 odds to win outright at FanDuel, but a little more taxed on the spread, where they get 1.5 runs with a -130 payout at Caesars.

Over bettors will want to head to bet365 where the line is set at 8.0 runs, while Under bettors can shop around, where BetMGM is offering an extra half point on the total to 8.5 runs.