Larry's 10* Weekly Wipeout-MLB (9-2 s/Apr 12)
- Handicapper
- Larry Ness
- League
- MLB
- Competition
- Chicago Cubs vs Cincinnati Reds
- Time
- 05/23/2022 06:40 PM
- Bet Type
- Moneyline
- Pick
-
Chicago Cubs -117
(Caesars)
- Outcome
- Win
- Analysis
- My 10* Weekly Wipeout is on the Chi Cubs at 6:40 ET.
The Brewers and Cardinals were expected to battle for the NL Central title in 2022 and that is what has played out as the season approaches Memorial Day. Milwaukee is 26-15 and St Louis is 23-18. The Reds were coming off an 83-79 season in 2021 and likely had some hopes of joining the Brewers and Cards in the 2022 division 'fight' but there was "No Joy in Wrigleyville'' entering 2022, as the Cubs were coming off a 71-91 season. Cincy's dreadful 3-22 start basically 'killed' the Reds' 2022 plans, while the Cubbies dipped below .500 with a loss on April (6-7) and have remained a sub-.500 team since. The two NL Central rivals open a four-game series Monday in Cincinnati, with the Cubs at 16-24 and the Reds at 12-28.
Chicago will start left-hander Drew Smyly (1-5, 3.97 ERA) on Monday, while Cincinnati will turn to Vladimir Gutierrez (0-5, 8.65 ERA). Smyly was 11-4 with Atlanta last season (Braves won the World Series), with the Braves going 14-9 in his 23 starts. However, he's been a disappointment for the Cubs in 2022 since pitching 9.2 scoreless innings in his first two starts (Cubs won both games). However, he takes the mound tonight having lost FIVE in row, while posting a 5.55 ERA. That said, his Cincy counterpart (Vladimir Gutierrez) is making his first start since May 11, when he was demoted to the bullpen. He never saw action as a reliever and the second-year pitcher has not made it through five innings in any of his SIX starts this season. He owns a 1.96 WHIP to go along with his 'ugly' 8.65 ERA in six starts (team is 1-5) plus opponents are batting .317 against him.
Excellent spot for Smyly to pick up his second win of 2022 against Gutierrez and a team in which he's made four career starts against, going 3-0 (teams are 4-0) with a 3.10 ERA and 1.08 WHIP. Cubs Win! Cubs Win!
Good luck...Larry
