MLB 2-Team Money Maker Multi-Pack - Tuesday
- Handicapper
- Jim Feist
- League
- MLB
- Competition
- Cincinnati Reds vs Chicago Cubs
- Release Date
- 05/05/2026 12:31 PM
- Event Date
- 05/05/2026 07:40 PM
- Bet Type
- Moneyline
- Pick
-
Chicago Cubs -161
(BetOnline)
- Outcome
- Win
- Analysis
- I really like the Cubs to win here on Tuesday, starting with the fact that Chicago rolls into this game with the hotter bats. The Cubs won Monday’s opener in walk-off fashion, taking care of Cincinnati 5-4 on a homer by Michael Conforto. That victory pushed Chicago to 23-12 overall and extended their winning streak to six games. Cincinnati, meanwhile, has lost four straight.
Chicago also gets a pitching matchup it can live with. The Cubs will send Jameson Taillon to the mound against Reds righty Andrew Abbott. Abbott comes into this game at 1-2 with a 5.97 ERA. Taillon counters with a 2-1 record and 4.41 ERA. Neither are great numbers, but Taillon has performed more consistently on paper. That’s enough for us considering Abbott’s ERA makes Cincinnati susceptible if Chicago creates good at-bats at Wrigley.
The Cubs just continue to answer questions with their lineup as well. Even if Chicago falls behind early, it showed Monday it has the firepower to mount a comeback. Suzuki tied the game with a three-run shot in the fourth, and the Cubs swung late for the win after tying it up in the ninth. Resiliency will play a big factor in this series against a Reds team that hasn’t been able to finish.
Chicago just has the edge here from a roster and game spot perspective too. Cincinnati recalled Chase Petty to the roster just to get through Monday’s game with its rotation issues. That’s concerning for a pitching staff that still has not seemed to find a groove yet this season. Chicago might get Petty on Monday and Abbott on Tuesday, but it just shows the Reds enter this series with more instability on the mound than the Cubs.
Between those factors, we feel comfortable laying the price with Chicago. The Cubs are hotter, they’re at home, they won Game 1 and the pitching matchup is good enough for us to trust Chicago again. If Taillon can give them five or six good innings, the Cubs have as clear of a path as any to taking care of Cincinnati on Tuesday.
Jim's Play: 902. Cubs
