Cubs vs. Reds Prediction and Odds for Sunday, August 14 (Chicago in Sweet Spot to Sweep Cincinnati)

Three days post-Field of Dreams Game in Dyersville, Iowa, the Chicago Cubs are looking to, "go the distance" and sweep away the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday afternoon.

Chicago has played much better since losing five straight to start the month, winning their last two series at home vs. the Miami Marlins and Washington Nationals. Their pitching has been the key to their success; only allowing 18 total runs in their last eight games for a team ERA of 2.25.

The Reds hope to stop their five-game skid after being swept by the New York Mets at the start of the week. They'll send right-hander Justin Dunn on the mound to make his second start of the season with the Reds against Cubs right-hander Keegan Thompson.

Here are the latest odds for today's matinee in Cincinnati over at WynnBET Sportsbook:

Cubs vs. Reds Odds, Run Line and Total

Run Line:

• Cubs -1.5 (+110)
• Reds +1.5 (-130)

Moneyline:

• Cubs -145
• Reds +135

Total:

• 9 (OVER -120 | UNDER +100)

Cubs vs. Reds Prediction and Pick

The popular play of the day is on the OVER, considering several books have already shifted the total from 9 to 9.5, I'm leaning on Chicago to continue their strong play of late and get the sweep of Cincinnati.

Thompson bounced back from a rough outing to start the month of August his last time out; shutting down the Nationals in six innings; allowing just one urn on a solo homer. In one start vs. Cincinnati back in late June, Thompson was solid, but not spectacular; allowing 4 ER in 6.1 innings; striking out eight and not walking a batter.

As for Dunn, there's not much of a sample to go off of. He's made one start this year; taking the loss against the Mets on the road; going just 4.2 innings allowing three runs and striking out just two hitters. His ERA is 5.79, but his expected Fielding Independent Pitching (xFIP) was substantially higher at 7.36). The Cubs rank 10th-highest in strikeouts this year, but when they're facing a non-strikeout pitcher like Dunn, they tend to perform much better.

Furthermore, the weather could play a part in getting this game canned early. As pointed out in BetSided's MLB Weather Report for Sunday, there's overcast skies and possible thunderstorms expected in the 2 and 4 p.m. ET hour in Cincinnati today. If this game goes more than the minimum of five and both teams out of the playoff race, a rain-shortened result could very much be in play.

I'll take the better pitcher and the better team at a fair price on the moneyline.

LEAN: Cubs ML -145

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