Cubs vs Reds Prediction 8/28/26 MLB Picks Today

In this article we will formulate a Cubs vs Reds prediction for this MLB game on Friday, August 28th 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 76-58 this season after they lost two out of three against the Diamondbacks by scores of 7-0, 4-5, and 0-2. In game three, Chicago allowed a run in the sixth inning and another in the eighth in the loss. The Cubs recorded two hits in the game and they were led by Taylor, who went 1-3. Boyd allowed three hits and one earned run over 6.0 innings for the loss, while Zeferjahn allowed one earned run in relief. Prior to that series, Chicago lost two out of three against the Mariners, but did win two out of three against the White Sox before that. 

This season, Chicago has a 4.09 ERA with a 1.25 WHIP and a .243 opponent batting average, while they have scored 695 runs with a .249 batting average and a .338 on base percentage. Pete Crow-Armstrong has led the Cubs with 33 home runs and 83 RBIs, while Dansby Swanson has added 18 home runs and 66 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Chicago is David Peterson, who is 7-7 with a 5.17 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP over 118.1 innings pitched this season. 

Cincinnati Reds Betting Preview

The Cincinnati Reds are 63-71 this year after they lost two out of three against the Giants by scores of 0-5, 1-3, and 10-9. In game three, Cincinnati trailed 9-3 after eight innings, but they scored seven runs in the ninth for the comeback win. The Reds recorded 15 hits in the game and they were led by Suarez, who went 2-5 with one home run and four RBIs. Lodolo allowed six hits and four earned runs over 4.0 innings, while Santillan got the win and Pagan picked up the save. Prior to that series, Cincinnati lost two out of three against the Diamondbacks and three out of five against the Cardinals 

This season, Cincinnati has a 4.55 ERA with a 1.41 WHIP and a .249 opponent batting average, while they have scored 548 runs with a .227 batting average and a .306 on base percentage. Sal Stewart has led the Reds with 28 home runs and 100 RBIs, while Elly De La Cruz has added 21 home runs and 58 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Cincinnati is Rhett Lowder, who is 5-8 with a 5.13 ERA and a 1.47 WHIP over 107.0 innings pitched this year. 

Why the Chicago Cubs will win

• The Cubs have won each of their last seven day games against NL Central opponents that held a losing record.
• The Reds have lost 14 of their last 16 day games against NL Central opponents following a road win.
• The Reds have failed to cover the run line in each of their last eight day games against the Cubs following a win.
• The Cubs have covered the run line in nine of their last 10 games against NL Central opponents that held a losing record.
• The Cubs have led after 3 innings in each of their last three home games against NL opponents that held a losing record.
• The Cubs have won the first inning in four of their last five day games against NL Central opponents that held a losing record.
• The Reds have trailed after 5 innings in each of their last five games against NL Central opponents.

Why the Cincinnati Reds will win

• The Cubs have lost four of their last five games as favorites against NL opponents.
• The Reds have won each of their last three games as road underdogs against NL Central opponents.
• The Reds have covered the run line in 15 of their last 16 Friday games at Wrigley Field.
• The Cubs have failed to cover the run line in eight of their last nine home games following a road loss.
• The Cubs have trailed after 5 innings in seven of their last nine home games against NL Central opponents.

Total Runs Facts

• Six of the Reds’ last seven road games against NL Central opponents have gone UNDER the total runs line.
• Ten of the last 13 games between the Reds and Cubs at Wrigley Field have gone UNDER the total runs line.
• There has been no run scored during the first inning in 10 of the Reds’ last 11 day games at Wrigley Field.
• There has been no run scored during the first inning in each of the last four day games between the Reds and Cubs at Wrigley Field.

Chicago Cubs Player Prop Facts

• Pete Crow-Armstrong has hit at least one home run in four of the Cubs’ last five home games against NL opponents that held a losing record.
• Nico Hoerner has recorded at least one hit in each of his last nine appearances after not playing the previous day.
• David Peterson has recorded a win in three of his last four appearances against NL opponents.
• Pete Crow-Armstrong ranks 3rd amongst qualified players for Slugging Percentage (.550) this season.

Cincinnati Reds Player Prop Facts

• Matt Mclain has hit at least one home run in three of his last five appearances in day games against NL Central teams that held a winning record.
• Rhett Lowder has recorded four or more strikeouts in six of his last seven appearances against NL Central opponents.
• Sal Stewart has recorded at least one hit in each of the Reds’ last 18 games against NL Central opponents that held a winning record.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Cubs rank 1st in the league for walks this season (568).
• The Cubs rank 2nd in the league for runs scored this season (695).
• The Reds rank 30th in the league for hits this season (1010).
• The Reds rank 30th in the league for batting average this season (.227).

Cubs vs Reds Prediction 

Cincinnati was able to avoid being swept with a huge ninth inning on Wednesday, but they have lost three of their last four games. The Reds are 31-35 on the road this year, while the Cubs are 38-27 at home. Chicago has lost three of their last five games and they are now seven games back in the NL Central. The Cubs are starting Peterson, who has allowed two earned runs or fewer in three of his last four starts, while Lowder has allowed 3, 4, 2, 2, and 2 earned runs in his last five outings. Take the Cubs -1.5 here.