Chicago Cubs vs. Cincinnati Reds Prediction, Preview, Picks & Odds - 5/24/2022

Time: 6:40 p.m. ET

Venue: Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati, OH

Where to watch: Marquee Sports Network, Bally Sports Ohio, MLB Network

DraftKings: Even

BetMGM: Even

Caesars: Reds -115, Cubs -105

Cubs: 17-24

Reds: 12-29

Ian Happ rakes in Cincinnati. That trend continued on Monday for the Chicago Cubs in their 7-4 win over the Reds. Happ, the Cubs' left fielder who played college ball at Cincinnati, hit a three-run homer and had an RBI double to carry the Cubs to a win over the Reds.

“I don't have a good answer for it,” he said. “I do well here. I've always been really comfortable here. I have some people around that I know really well, so I've been lucky to have a lot of success here.”

It's not just the fact he's facing the Reds, but Happ has turned it on at the plate over this month, batting .383 in his past 15 games. His batting average, which was hovering around .225 for the better part of the first part of the year, is now at .286.

“He sees the ball well here,” Cubs manager David Ross said. “That first one got run down there at the track, and the double and homer were big shots.”

Outside of Happ and Patrick Wisdom going deep for a three-run home run, the Cubs really didn't get much going from anyone else. Seiya Suzuki went 1-for-3 and walked twice, which was probably a much-needed outing from the rookie.

Jonathan Villar went 1-for-5, and Yan Gomes went 0-for-4.

Drew Smyly threw 101 pitches but couldn't finish the sixth inning. He still threw 5.2 strong innings and struck out five.

The Cincinnati Reds came back home after a thrilling win in Toronto and pretty much had a dud of a night in their home ballpark. Of course, Happ was no help for that night. But the Reds losing for the third time in four games was a combination of factors that's continued through 41 games this season.

First, the good news: Aristides Aquino had two home runs and drove in three of the four Cincy runs. It was an offensive output that the young right fielder needed. His average went up to .122 after going 2-for-4 from the plate.

Now the bad news: The Reds had five hits. Aquino had two of them. And of course, he drove in three of those four runs. It's been a lack of firepower all season, a far cry from last season.

Reds starter Vladimir Gutierrez lasted just four innings and gave up four runs while striking out five. His ERA is now 8.70, a perfect complement to his 0-6 start.

"Gutierrez was really good early, probably the best we've seen him all year," Reds manager David Bell said. "I think he had so much time off that it caught up to him."

I have no idea what to make of the Reds, if they've gotten back to form and can start chasing .500, or if they're going to continue to fall off the cliff. It's hard to like their chances against the Cubs right now.

The key name here: Marcus Stroman. He's long overdue for a win at this point and this is the perfect chance for the Cubs' ace to get that notch on his belt. Cubs win 6-0

Cubs are 10-18 against right-handed starters this season.

Cubs are 8-8 as a road underdog this season.

Reds are 1-6 this season when the line is between +125 and -125.

Reds are 56-40 the past three seasons as a home favorite.

Cubs:
Rafael Ortega (L) CF
Jonathan Villar (S) 2B
Seiya Suzuki (R) RF
Ian Happ (S) LF
Yan Gomes (R) C
Frank Schwindel (R) DH
Alfonso Rivas (L) 1B
Patrick Wisdom (R) 3B
Christopher Morel (R) SS
SP - Marcus Stroman

Reds:
Nick Senzel (R) CF
Brandon Drury (R) 2B
Tommy Pham (R) DH
Joey Votto (L) 1B
Tyler Stephenson (R) C
Aristides Aquino (R) RF
Mike Moustakas (L) 3B
Albert Almora Jr. (R) LF
Matt Reynolds (R) SS
SP - Tyler Mahle

Batting average: Ian Happ -- .286

Hits: Ian Happ -- 36

Home runs: Patrick Wisdom -- 10

RBI: Patrick Wisdom -- 23

Wins: Keegan Thompson -- 4

Saves: David Robertson -- 6

ERA: Keegan Thompson -- 1.54

Batting average: Tyler Naquin -- .256

Hits: Two tied -- 31

Home runs: Brandon Drury -- 7

RBI: Brandon Drury -- 22

Wins: Four tied -- 2

Saves: Two tied -- 2

ERA: Tyler Mahle -- 5.23