The Chicago Cubs and Cincinnati Reds will open a four-game set at Wrigley Field on Monday night. It’s time to continue our MLB odds series and make a Reds-Cubs prediction and pick.

This is an exciting National League Central matchup between two clubs on completely different trajectories. The Reds have been struggling a bit of late, but they're still alive in the playoff race. The Cubs, on the other hand, have fallen off after their strong start and will be sellers at the trade deadline.

Here’s how sportsbooks have set the Reds-Cubs odds.

MLB Odds: Reds-Cubs Odds

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Cincinnati Reds +1.5 (-175)

Chicago Cubs -1.5 (+155)

Over 8.5 Runs (-105)

Under 8.5 Runs (-115)

Why The Reds Could Cover The Spread

The Reds aren't all the way there yet, but their rebuild is clearly working. The Reds have two All-Star starters in their outfield and a ton of young talent showing flashes of brilliance. Cincinnati is only 51-48, but this is a dangerous team in the National League. The Reds are averaging 4.82 runs per game this season, which is the eighth-best mark in the majors.

The Reds have seen a slight dip in production recently with Nick Castellanos on the 10-day IL. Cincinnati has struggled to keep runs off the board lately, which has led to six losses over the last nine games. The Reds will look to get back on track against a Cubs team that they have defeated in four of their last five head-to-head matchups.

Cincinnati will turn to left-hander Wade Miley for the series opener. Miley has been impressive for the Reds this season with a 8-4 record and 2.72 ERA through 17 starts. The veteran southpaw tossed a no-hitter earlier this year and has continue to dominate lately. He has allowed two or fewer runs over at least six innings in each of his last three starts to date.

Why The Cubs Could Cover The Spread

The Cubs are 7-13 over their last 20 games and are now 49-51 on the season. Chicago is nine games back of the Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Central, which seems insurmountable at this point. This franchise will be sellers at the deadline, with Kris Bryant almost guaranteed to be dealt to a contender.

The Cubs have actually been a productive team at Wrigley Field this season. They are 30-18 with a +0.68 average run differential at home. Their demise has occurred on the road and their 19-33 record away from home. This has been a season to forget for Cubs fans, but the play of Javier Baez has to keep everyone interested in this team down the stretch, assuming he's not dealt.

Chicago will turn to right-hander Kyle Hendricks for the series opener. Hendricks is enjoying another productive season with a 12-4 record and 3.61 ERA through 20 starts. His strikeout numbers have always been low, but the savvy veteran just has a knack for keeping runs off the board. He is 4-0 with a 2.11 ERA through his last seven starts and has allowed two earned runs or fewer in each of his last three starts.

Final Reds-Cubs Prediction & Pick

I like the under in a game that features an elite pitching matchup and two struggling lineups. Kyle Hendricks has been one of the most effective pitchers in all of baseball at Wrigley Field, while Wade Miley has been elite this season. The under has hit in four of the Cubs' last five games and in each of the last five road games for the Reds. The under has also hit in six of the last nine head-to-head matchups between these clubs at Wrigley Field. Expect runs to be at a premium in a chippy divisional contest.

FINAL PICK: Under 8.5 Runs (-115)