MLB picks: Cubs vs. Tigers, Reds vs. Brewers

The Chicago Cubs and Detroit Tigers will wrap up their three-game series at Comerica Park on Wednesday night, while a vital four-game set between the Cincinnati Reds and Milwaukee Brewers rolls on at Miller Park. Here are our betting previews.

Chicago Cubs (18-11) at Detroit Tigers (12-16), 7:10 p.m. ET

Cubs starter Jon Lester should have a bounce-back performance on Wednesday night against the rapidly-regressing Michael Fulmer and the Tigers.

Lester was tagged for four homers by a potent White Sox offense on Friday night. But Detroit’s lineup features no one like Jose Abreu or Luis Robert. Since peaking at 9-7 on Aug. 12, the Tigers have managed just four runs per game during a 3-9 slide. Chicago’s bullpen has been somewhat reliable over the last week, ranking 11th in ERA during that span (4.21).

Fulmer is clearly not the pitcher he was when he won the AL Rookie of the Year Award back in 2016 – multiple surgeries will have that effect. It’s disheartening to see his 9.53 ERA and 2.03 WHIP through four starts this season, but that doesn’t mean the Cubs will go easy on him. Look for Javier Baez, who clubbed two homers in the series opener against Detroit on Monday night, to have another fine night at the dish.

MLB pick: Cubs moneyline

Cincinnati Reds (11-17) at Milwaukee Brewers (13-15), 8:10 p.m. ET

The Reds’ Sonny Gray and the Brewers’ Adrian Houser have both had solid 2020 campaigns, and they should relish the opportunity to face off against their respective opponent, as neither offense has been lighting the world on fire this year.

Gray (4-1, 2.21 ERA, 0.98 WHIP) is currently third in the majors in strikeouts with 51 through five starts. Bettors should expect to see lots of swings-and-misses from Milwaukee’s strikeout-prone lineup (eighth-most in the majors) that’s 26th in runs per game this year (3.96). Meanwhile, the Reds’ bullpen has woken up over the last two weeks, producing the third-lowest ERA in baseball (2.37) as well as the third-highest strikeouts/nine innings rate (11.13).

Houser (1-2, 3.72 ERA, 1.24 WHIP) has not pitched at Gray’s level in 2020 but shouldn’t be intimidated by a Cincinnati lineup that’s 29th in runs per game this year (3.93). His opponent batting average in 14 innings of work against the Reds last year was a modest .222. The Brewers’ bullpen is 12th by ERA (3.97) for the season.

MLB pick: Under