Reds vs Cubs pick: Look to Wade Miley's Strikeout Total

There’s nothing I love more than a good MLB player prop bet, and I found the perfect spot for one tonight.

The Cincinnati Reds and Chicago Cubs meet in a National League showdown tonight that will feature a strong pitching matchup between Wade Miley and Kyle Hendricks. WynnBET has Miley’s strikeout total set at 5.5, and the over is set at +100. At those odds, I have to take the over 5.5 Ks for the lefty.

He is only averaging 7.4 strikeouts per 9 innings pitched this season, but he’s improved on that number in recent starts. In his last start, which came on July 20th against the Mets, Miley struck out eight batters in 6.1 innings. He’s surpassed 5.5 strikeouts in three of his last four starts dating back to June 22nd.

Now he’s set to face a Cubs team that ranks 28th in Major League Baseball in strikeout%, striking out on 26.2% of plate appearances.

If you were to play devil’s advocate, you’d point to the fact Miley has faced the Cubs twice already this season, and only struck out three batters in each of those games. While that is true, I would counter that argument by pointing out that he recorded 61 and 62 strikes in those games. The at bats may not have been ending in Ks, but he was certainly recording strikes.

He should get plenty of opportunities to close out batters tonight, as Chicago ranks dead last in the Majors in on base percentage at .284 since the beginning of June. I expect him to have a strong start against the Cubbies tonight.

WynnBET has the Reds set as +110 underdogs, and the Cubs will start the game as -130 home favorites. The total for the game is set at 8.5 runs.

Interested in making this bet? Maybe even fading it? Download the WynnBET app in New Jersey, Indiana or Colorado.