Cincinnati at Chicago

The Cubs do have some quality starting pitching they can rely on, just not in this game. Brooks Raley gets the call with a 15.75 ERA after one start as the Cubs evaluate their farm system early. Raley made the first start of his career on Tuesday night against the Padres, but he did not last long. He allowed seven runs on eight hits over four innings of work in the 7-4 loss. The Cubs have so many problems in so many places. They have a terrible bullpen, an offense ranked 30th in runs scored, 29th in on base percentage and 25th in slugging. On top of that, they play half their games in a hitter's park! The Cubs are 8-23 in their last 31 games as a home underdog of +151 to +200 and on a 1-10 run overall. Cincinnati is on a sizzling 24-8 run and holds all the cards this game, including ace Johnny Cueto (14-6, 2.58 ERA) on the mound. He has a 1.42 ERA against Chicago this season and the Reds are 8-1 in their last nine games vs. a team with a winning percentage below .400. The Reds are 22-8 in Cueto's last 30 starts and 8-3 in the last 11 meetings with the Cubbies. Play the Reds.