Cubs vs Reds Prediction 5/31/25 MLB Picks Today

In this article we will formulate a Cubs vs Reds prediction for this MLB game on Saturday, May 31st at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup.

Chicago Cubs Betting Preview

The Chicago Cubs are 35-22 this season after they lost game one by a score of 6-2 on Friday afternoon. Chicago allowed the first six runs in the game and they came up short with their late rally for the loss. The Cubs recorded six hits in the game and they were led by Busch and Shaw, who both had one RBI in the win. Chicago started Rea, who allowed 10 hits and six earned runs over 5.2 innings for the loss, while Cabrera and Flexen finished the final 3.1 innings. 

Prior to this series, the Cubs swept the Rockies in three games and won two out of three against the Reds. Chicago has won four of their last five games and they are currently first in the NL Central standings. The Chicago pitching staff has a 3.92 ERA with a 1.28 WHIP and a .248 opponent batting average, while their offense has scored 332 runs with a .261 batting average and a .334 on base percentage this season. Pete Crow-Armstrong has led Chicago with 15 home runs and 50 RBIs, while Seiya Suzuki has added 14 home runs and 51 RBIs this year. The projected starting pitcher for Chicago is Drew Pomeranz, who is 2-0 with a 0.00 ERA and a 0.55 WHIP over 12.2 innings pitched this season. 

Cincinnati Reds Betting Preview

The Cincinnati Reds are 29-29 this year after they won game one by a score of 6-2 on Friday afternoon. Cincinnati led 6-0 in the sixth inning and they were able to close out the victory, despite allowing quite a few baserunners in the eighth and ninth. The Reds recorded 10 hits in the game and they were led by Stephenson and Fraley, who both had one home run and two RBIs in the win. Cincinnati started Abbott, who allowed one hit and zero earned runs over 7.0 innings for the win, while Pagan picked up the save. 

Prior to this series, the Reds won two out of three against the Royals, but lost two out of three against the Cubs before that. Cincinnati has won three of their last four games and they are currently fourth in the NL Central standings. The Cincinnati pitching staff has a 3.75 ERA with a 1.19 WHIP and a .229 opponent batting average, while their offense has scored 270 runs with a .249 batting average and a .324 on base percentage this season. Elly De La Cruz has led Cincinnati with 11 home runs and 40 RBIs, while Matt McLain has added six home runs and 18 RBIs this year. The projected starting pitcher for Cincinnati is Nick Lodolo, who is 4-4 with a 3.39 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP over 63.2 innings pitched this year. 

Why the Cubs will beat the Reds

• The Reds have lost each of their last nine day games against NL Central opponents following a road win.
• The Cubs have won eight of their last nine games against NL Central opponents following a loss.
• The Reds have failed to cover the run line in seven of their last eight day games against NL Central opponents following a road win.
• The Cubs have covered the run line in each of their last five games following a loss.
• The Cubs have led after 3 innings in six of their last seven home games.
• The Cubs have led after 5 innings in three of their last four games.

Why the Reds will beat the Cubs

• The road team has won four of the Reds’ last five games.
• The Cubs have lost each of their last four day games against the Reds following a home loss.
• The Cubs have failed to cover the run line in each of their last six day games against the Reds at Wrigley Field following a loss.
• The Reds have covered the run line in seven of their last eight day games against the Cubs at Wrigley Field following a win.
• The Reds have led after 3 innings in each of their last six games against National League opponents that held a winning record.
• The Reds have led after 5 innings in each of their last six games against National League opponents that held a winning record.
• The Reds have won the first inning in each of their last four games against NL Central opponents.

Total Runs Facts

• Nine of the Reds’ last 10 road games against National League opponents have gone UNDER the total runs line.
• Each of the Cubs’ last four home games against NL Central opponents have gone UNDER the total runs line.
• The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Cubs’ last eight day games.
• The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in eight of the Reds’ last nine games against National League opponents.

Chicago Cubs Player Prop Facts

• Carson Kelly has recorded at least one RBI in each of his last seven Saturday day appearances.
• Seiya Suzuki has recorded a Double in each of the Cubs’ last four day games.
• Seiya Suzuki has recorded at least one hit in each of the Cubs’ last 11 games against NL opponents.
• Carson Kelly has recorded at least one Single in eight of his last nine appearances against NL Central opponents.
• Seiya Suzuki has scored at least one run in four of his last five appearances against the Reds after playing the previous day.
• Carson Kelly has hit at least one home run in three of his last four Saturday appearances.

Cincinnati Reds Player Prop Facts

• Nick Lodolo has recorded five or more strikeouts in five of his six previous appearances in day games against NL Central teams that held a winning record.
• TJ Friedl has recorded at least one Single in each of the Reds’ last seven games.
• Elly De La Cruz has scored at least one run in each of the Reds’ last seven games.
• Tyler Stephenson has hit a home run in three of the Reds’ last four games against opponents that held a winning record.
• Elly De La Cruz has recorded at least one RBI in five of the Reds’ last six day games against NL teams that held a winning record.
• TJ Friedl has recorded two or more hits in each of the Reds’ last seven games against opponents that held a winning record.

Cubs vs Reds Prediction 

Cincinnati was able to get a dominant pitching performance on Friday afternoon to get the win in game one of this series and they have scored at least six runs in four of their last five games. The Reds are 15-15 on the road this year, while the Cubs are 18-11 at home. Chicago had their winning streak snapped on Friday, but they are still leading the NL Central standings. The Cubs are starting Pomeranz, who is expected to be an opener, while Ben Brown should be the bulk pitcher. Cincinnati is going with Lodolo, who has allowed three earned runs or more in three of his last five starts. I think we will see plenty of runs in this game, as Brown as struggled, so I like the over in this contest.