1* Free Play OVER Cubs/Reds.

The visitors hand the ball to Clayton Richard (1-0, 5.79 ERA) who looked good in his first start for the Cubs, giving up two runs off eight hits with one walk over 6 1/3's innings in a win over the Fish on Saturday. Richard allowed at least one runner in every inning, but somehow managed to pitch his way out of several jams. Certainly the book is still out on the seven-year veteran who until that outing, hadn't thrown in the big league's since June 2013. The home side counters with Michael Lorenzen (3-4, 3.53 ERA) who gave up two runs off five hits over six innings while walking four in a loss to the Marlins on Thursday. The rookie has been up-and-down all season, but take note that he's struggled in this spot already this year, just 1-2 with a pedestrian 4.10 ERA in front of the home town crowd thus far (also just 2-3 with a 3.96 ERA in all "night" games). Neither starter instills fear in opposing line-ups, this match-up definitely seems conducive to a higher-scoring affair, consider a second look at the OVER.

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