Cincinnati Reds (59-54) vs. Chicago Cubs (65-47)
August 5, 2025 8:05 pm EDT
The Line: Chicago Cubs -190 / Cincinnati Reds 155; Over/Under: 8
(Get latest betting odds)
In this article, we will formulate a Cubs vs Reds prediction for this MLB game on Tuesday, August 5, at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup.
Cincinnati Reds Betting Preview
The Cincinnati Reds (59-54, 26-28 Away) spent the previous three series at home, where they swept the Rays, and lost to the Dodgers and Braves. They opened the current series against the Cubs with a narrow, 3-2 victory last night. Nick Lodolo pitched for 1.2 innings in a no-decision, allowing no runs on no hits with one strikeout and no walks. He left the game due to a blister on his left index finger. Scott Barlow was credited with the win.
This season, the Reds average 4.57 runs per game (10th in the MLB) on a .247/.321/.393 triple-slash. When it comes to pitching, the Reds’ staff has a 3.89 ERA (15th) and 1.24 WHIP (11th). Elly De La Cruz leads the Reds with a .282 batting average, 19 home runs, and 73 RBI this season.
Zack Littell will take the mound for the Reds on Tuesday. The 29-year-old right-hander has an 8-8 record in 22 starts this year with a 3.58 ERA and 1.12 WHIP in 133.1 innings. Litell will get his first start for the Reds after joining from the Rays in a trade.
Chicago Cubs Betting Preview
The Chicago Cubs (65-57, 35-21 Home) lost to the Milwaukee Brewers and beat the Baltimore Orioles in the last two series. The Cubs fell short in Game 1 of the series against the Reds, losing 3-2. They registered just three hits and committed an error. Dansby Swanson hit a two-run homer to lead the offense, while Mike Soroka pitched for 2.0 innings in a no-decision, allowing one run on one hit with three strikeouts and one walk. He left Monday’s start due to right shoulder discomfort. Ryan Brasier took the loss.
This year, the Cubs average 5.22 runs per game (1st in the MLB) on a .255/.324/.441 triple-slash. When it comes to pitching, the Cubs’ staff has a 3.92 ERA (16th) and 1.22 WHIP (6th). Seiya Suzuki leads the Cubs with a .247 batting average, 26 home runs, and 82 RBI this season.
The projected starting pitcher for the Cubs is Shota Imanaga, who is 8-4 in 15 starts this season, with a 3.25 ERA and 1.04 WHIP in 83.0 innings.
Total Runs Facts
- Each of the Reds’ last four night games against NL Central opponents have gone UNDER the total runs line.
- Six of the Cubs’ last seven games against National League opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
- The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Cubs’ last six Tuesday night games at Wrigley Field.
- The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in 12 of the Reds’ last 15 games as road underdogs against NL Central opponents.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Cubs rank 2nd in the league for slugging percentage this season (.439).
- The Cubs rank 2nd in the league for walks allowed this season (295).
- The Reds rank T9th in the league for walks this season (380).
- The Reds rank 10th in the league for runs scored this season (515).
Cubs vs Reds Prediction
The Cubs won six of the previous ten H2H encounters, including two of the last three. Although I am leaning toward the Cubs, I am not going to bet on the winner. I’ll go with Under instead. No Over occurred in the last ten Cincinnati games, and considering the pitching matchup, I don’t think we will have more than eight runs here. Zack Littell allowed more than three runs only once in his previous eight starts. He will be motivated in his first start for the Reds. Shota Imanaga, on the other hand, did surrender ten runs in his last two starts, but I am expecting him to bounce back here. Go with Under.
