On the afternoon of May 31, 2024, the Cincinnati Reds are set to take on the Chicago Cubs at the iconic Wrigley Field. The first pitch is scheduled for 2:20 PM under what is expected to be a sky of overcast clouds.

Graham Ashcraft of the Reds, who carries an ERA of 4.667, will take the mound hoping to curb his team’s recent struggles. Opposing him for the Cubs is Javier Assad, whose impressive ERA of 2.172 suggests a tough contest for the Reds’ lineup.

Looking at the 2024 NL Central Division standings, the Reds languish in 12th place with a record of 24-32, signaling a winning percentage of just 0.43. They find themselves at the bottom of their division, coming off two consecutive losses and holding a 5-5 record in their last 10 games. Their journey includes 14 wins and 17 defeats at home, while away games have brought them 10 victories against 15 losses.

In contrast, the Chicago Cubs stand 8th in the same division, sporting a slightly better 28-29 record and a 0.49 winning percentage. Despite their own challenges, the Cubs have preserved a stronger home record of 15-11. However, their performance in the last 10 games mirrors that of the Reds with only 2 wins, and they also face a two-game losing streak.

The betting odds provide an intriguing insight into the matchup. The point spread favors the Cubs by -1.5, reflecting their relative standing and performances. The over/under is set at 8.0, hinting at moderate scoring expected during the game. For those looking at direct outcomes, the Moneyline reflects favor towards the home team as well, with the Cubs at -148 and the Reds at +126.