Cincinnati Reds vs Chi. Cubs Picks and Predictions June 6th 2024

Rising Reds Return Home to Take On Cubs

The Cincinnati Reds are on a hot streak as they head back home for a four-game series against the Chicago Cubs. Fresh off a successful road trip where they took two out of three from the Cubs in Chicago, the Reds are ready to keep their winning momentum going on their home turf.

Recent Performances: Reds and Cubs

Cincinnati Reds’ Offensive Revival
The Reds pulled off a thrilling comeback on Wednesday, scoring six runs in the ninth inning to clinch a 12-7 victory over the Colorado Rockies. This win marked their first series sweep in Denver since 2012 and their fourth consecutive win, bringing their record close to .500.

Key Players and Moments

• Spencer Steer: His two-run homer was pivotal in the Reds’ dramatic ninth-inning rally.
• Jonathan India: India’s second grand slam in two weeks capped the rally and highlighted the team’s offensive surge.

“We needed that. We’re close to .500 again, and we’re going to make a push going home again now,” said India, reflecting on the team’s recent success.

Chicago Cubs’ Recent Success
The Cubs enter the series on a high note after two straight 7-6 victories against the Chicago White Sox, with Mike Tauchman’s walk-off homer in the ninth inning sealing their latest win.

Statistical Insights and Team Strategies

Reds’ Offensive Turnaround
After struggling offensively in May with a .217 average and a 9-18 record, the Reds have found their groove, scoring 44 runs during their recent 5-1 road trip. In Denver, they excelled with 22 two-out RBIs.

Base-Stealing Dynamics
The Reds’ aggressive base-running has been a game-changer, ranking second in the majors with 92 steals. Elly De La Cruz leads with a major-league-high 32 steals. The Cubs, however, have been effective in countering this, allowing only three steals in their recent series and recording 12 pickoffs this season.

“Teams are aggressive running, period, in the league,” said Cubs manager Craig Counsell. “You have to exhaust every opportunity to try to prevent it or defend against it.”

Pitching Matchups: Greene vs. Assad

Hunter Greene (Reds)
Hunter Greene, the Reds’ ace, will take the mound with a 3-2 record and a 3.44 ERA. Despite a challenging outing against the Cubs last Saturday, where he gave up a game-tying grand slam, Greene is determined to lead his team to victory. He holds a 3-1 career record against the Cubs with a 4.33 ERA.

Javier Assad (Cubs)
Javier Assad, with a 4-1 record and a 2.27 ERA, will start for the Cubs. While he didn’t factor into the decision against the Reds last week, he has shown effectiveness with a 2.30 ERA in six career outings against Cincinnati. Assad has excelled in Cincinnati, pitching 13 1/3 shutout innings in two starts.

Conclusion

As the Cincinnati Reds return home to face the Chicago Cubs, they aim to maintain their offensive momentum and continue climbing the NL Central standings. With key players like Spencer Steer and Jonathan India leading the charge and Hunter Greene set to pitch, the Reds are poised for a strong showing in this crucial series.