John Bollman's Bet of the Day: Field of Dreams Edition - 8/11

The Field of Dreams game is tonight in Dyersville, Iowa at 7:15 EST so we have to make a play for the game, right? This will be the second installation of the Field of Dreams games series with the first game happening last season. The White Sox beat the Yankees last season, 9-8, in an instant classic that featured the Yankees scoring four runs in the Top of the 9th before the White Sox scored two runs in the bottom of the 9th to walk off the game. Each team ended up hitting four home runs in that game and the ball was absolutely flying. I expect a similar high scoring game tonight with both of these lineups and these bullpens. This is an important game for whoever plays in it, but it is especially a big game for two teams that don’t have much to play for. Neither of these teams are going to the playoffs this season, so this game in primetime is really the only playoff atmosphere they will experience this season. Hitters will be focused and individual pitches for pitchers will be magnified.

Drew Smyly is starting for the Cubs, and he is coming off a very good start not allowing a run in 6.1 innings pitched. However, he was facing the worst team in the league against lefties in the Marlins. He has been very hit or miss this season other than that and that includes an outing against the Reds where he allowed three earned runs in 5.2 innings pitched. The Reds traded Tommy Pham and Brandon Drury at the trade deadline, but they still hit lefties much better than they do righties. Nick Lodolo will be making his first start of many against his division rival in the Cubs. He allowed three earned runs in 4.2 innings pitched in his last start, but he has been pretty good overall. The Cubs are also in the bottom five in the league in wOBA against lefties the last 30 days.

Neither bullpen is great, but I still think the Reds have the slight advantage. The Cubs traded away Zach Effross, David Robertson, and Mychal Givens. They also had each of their top three relievers pitch in two of the last three days, so they won’t have their best stuff if they even appear today. I like the value in the Reds in this 2022 Field of Dreams game.

John's BOTD: Reds ML | -110 at Bet365