Posted on 4/16/2008 3:44:34 PM

MLB Betting - Cincinnati Reds vs. Chicago Cubs

By Mike Rose

The Reds and Cubs continue their online baseball betting set tonight after the Cubs picked up a win in game 1 by a 9-5 final count. It was a very competitive game through the first six innings, but the Cubs found its HR stroke late to pull away for the impressive home victory. Cincy’s #1 hurler Aaron Harang didn’t have his best stuff surrendering eight hits (2 HR) and five earned runs with a K/BB ratio of 6/2 in just six innings of work.

He handed the game off to his erratic bullpen on the short end of a 5-4 deficit, and Jared Burton, Jeremy Affeldt, nor Todd Coffey could keep the Cubs off the board in any of the two combined innings they threw. The MLB wagering community should note Cubs starting pitcher Ryan Dempster gave his mates another solid start going six innings and surrendering just five hits and four earned runs. He did however walk five after only walking four combined in his first two starts. It didn’t matter though as Chicago’s sticks were hot clubbing 14 hits including three HR’s that left the bats of Ryan Theriot (1), Derrek Lee (5), and Mark DeRosa (3). Right-handed relief pitcher Carlos Marmol earned his 4th hold of the season in the 7th allowing Dempster to remain in line for the win mostly due in large part to a tremendous play Mike Fontenot made on a ground ball up the middle.

Josh Fogg will make his third start of the season tonight for Dusty Baker. He comes into this game boasting a 1-1 mark with a bloated 7.00 ERA. That said, he was tremendous in his last start against the Milwaukee Brewers going five strong and allowing just 3 runs (1 earned) and four hits in the Reds 12-4 win at Miller Park. In his career against the Cubs, he’s 7-7 with a 5.69 ERA and has only won one of his L/4 starts at Wrigley, which came last season as a member of the Colorado Rockies.

Big Z, otherwise known as Carlos Zambrano, didn’t have his best stuff against Philadelphia his last time out. The right-hander gave up five runs on nine hits over six innings while striking out six, and suffered his first loss of the season to even up his mark at 1-1. To date, he’s allowed 19 hits and seven earned runs in 19 2/3rd innings of work with a K/BB ratio of 18/2. Skipper Lou Piniella is hoping he’s resolved the problem he had with his fastball over the last five days. In his career against the Reds, Carlos is 10-9 with a 3.52 ERA and 1.366 WHIP, and he went 2-4 with a 5.30 ERA against them last season. Shockingly, the Cubs lost all three of his home starts against the Reds last season.

The Cubs opened lofty –200 home favorites for game 2 with the ‘total’ set at 12 over –115. You can get down at these prices at BetUS.com right now!

The ‘total’ has been set very high for this contest for a reason as its cashed in five of these teams L/7 meetings in Chicago; including last night. It’s also cashed in 8 of Carlos Zambrano’s L/11 home starts as a favorite of –150 to –200.

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