Look out Gatorade Machine – Zambrano’s back for the Cubs

MLB Betting – Game Match-up 6/5

Chicago Cubs vs. Cincinnati Reds 7:00 ET

NL Central sports betting action heats up Friday night when Manager Lou Piniella’s Chicago Cubs (26-25, -$490) invades The Great American Ballpark for the first time this season to butt heads with Manager Dusty Baker’s Cincinnati reds (28-25, +$560). The Cubs enter tonight’s MLB betting match-up off a series split against the Atlanta Braves after last night’s contest was washed away by Mother Nature. The Cubs have been disappointing for their fans and betting backers throughout the first two months of the season (-$490), and enter Game 1 of this series 5-5 their L/10 (-$97). They’ve been a horrendous wager as a visitor evidenced by their sad 10-15 record that’s cost their baseball betting backers upwards of $600 on the year.

Chicago currently sits 3.5-games in back of both the Milwaukee Brewers and St. Louis Cardinals for the top spot in the NL Central. As for Cincinnati, it returns home off a disappointing seven game trek through the NL Central that saw it drop five of seven games against the two division leaders. They dropped a tough 3-1 decision to the Cardinals last night which allowed St. Louis to split the four-game series. The Reds have been a surprise thus far, and it doesn’t look as if they’re going away anytime soon. They’re the 5th best bet in all of baseball betting bringing in close to $600 on the year, and they boast winning marks both home and away; something only three other teams can brag about. As a host, the Reds are 13-12 overall and have brought in $65 for their betting backers.

The Reds find themselves dogged for the 12th time at home after BetOnline oddsmakers installed Carlos Zambrano and the Chicago Cubs as -130 road favorites for Game 1 of this three-game set; the ‘total’ currently sits at 9 over -115.

Big “Z” will finally get a chance to atone for his sin of bumping an umpire, throwing him out after getting thrown out himself, chucking a ball into the stands, and then taking his aggression out on a poor orange Gatorade machine. All kidding aside, it’s been a stressful season for the Cubs staff ace. He hasn’t lived up to expectations currently sitting 3-2 with a lofty 4.22 ERA and 1.45 WHIP. With the team in disarray, this is a big spot for the righty. After getting outdueled by Jake Peavy in his return from the DL, Zambrano churned out a solid effort against the Buccos (6.1 IP, 7 hits, 1 ER) before getting tossed. Before losing his April 23rd start against Cincy this season, Carlos has won his previous five starts vs. the Reds.

Micah Owings enters his 10th start of the season winless in his L/3 starts with an 8.56 ERA during that stretch. He allowed eight hits and five earned runs against the Milwaukee Brewers who handed him his 6th defeat of the season last Sunday. Nothing about the righty’s stat line is impressive. He owns a 5.10 ERA and lofty 1.56 WHIP and has allowed 59 hits and 31 earned runs through just 54.2 total innings of work. The fact that he’s walked 27 batters and struck out 35 paints a clear picture as to why he’s 3-6 on the year. He’s 0-2 in three career starts against the Cubs with a 4.29 ERA and 1.64 WHIP.

With the off day due to the rainout, look for the Cubs to make it a point to get this series started off on the right foot. They would’ve swept Atlanta if not for a blown save by Gregg in Game 1. Zambrano’s in search of his 100th career win, and I look for him to get it! The Cubs have handled Owings in the past, so there’s no reason to believe he’ll get the best of him tonight considering his current form. Roll with the visitors in what could be a higher scoring affair…

Rose’s Recommendation: 2* Chicago Cubs -130 (Zambrano)

(Rating Scale: 1* – 5*)