Cubs-Reds Pointers

The division rival Chicago Cubs and Cincinnati Reds are set to renew hostilities on Friday when they meet at Great American Ball Park. The Cubs will give the ball to starter Ted Lilly in this one. Lefthander Lilly is 13-8 this season with a 4.23 ERA. Starting this game for the Reds will be Bronson Arroyo. The righthander has a 4.97 ERA to go along with a 13-10 record this season. Oddsmakers currently have the Cubs listed as 160-moneyline favorites versus the Reds, while the game's total has not yet been posted. Randy Wolf tossed a complete-game shutout on Wednesday, leading the Astros to a 4-0 win over the Cubs. The Astros won the game as +205 underdogs, while the four runs went UNDER the posted over/under (7.5). Ty Wigginton belted a two-run homer to lead the Astros at the plate. Wolf whiffed eight batters in earning the win. The Reds scored three times in the eighth inning to earn an 8-6 win over the Pirates as -120 favorites on Thursday. The combined 14 runs sailed OVER the posted over/under (10). Joey Votto homered and finished 2-for-5 with two RBIs to lead the Reds. Nick Masset tossed the win in relief, and Francisco Cordero notched his 27th save. Current streak: Chicago has lost 5 straight games. Team records: Chicago: 85-55 SU Cincinnati: 62-78 SU Chicago most recently: When playing on Friday are 6-4 Before playing Cincinnati are 7-3 After playing Houston are 5-5 After a loss are 6-4 Cincinnati most recently: When playing on Friday are 6-4 Before playing Chi Cubs are 4-6 After playing Pittsburgh are 4-6 After a win are 2-8 A few trends to consider: Chi Cubs are 13-1 SU in their last 14 games on the road The total has gone OVER in 13 of Chi Cubs's last 15 games on the road The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Chi Cubs's last 6 games The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Chi Cubs's last 5 games when playing Cincinnati The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Cincinnati's last 5 games when playing Chi Cubs Cincinnati is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games at home The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Cincinnati's last 7 games when playing at home against Chi Cubs Cincinnati is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games Next up: Cincinnati home to Chi Cubs, Saturday, September 6