Reds vs Cubs Prediction 5/5/26 MLB Picks Today

In this article, we will formulate a Reds vs Cubs Prediction for this MLB matchup on Tuesday, May 5^th in the second game of this series. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup.

Chicago Cubs Preview

The Chicago Cubs have a 23-12 record this season and are sitting in the first place of the NL Central. They have a 15-5 home record and are coming off a 5-4 home win against the Reds. They won their previous three games at home against the Diamondbacks by scores of 8-4, 2-0, and 6-5.

The Cubs have a .259 batting average this season, .352 OBP and .431 Slugging percentage. Chicago’s pitching staff has a 3.89 ERA and 1.19 WHIP. Nico Hoerner is the team’s best hitter with a .299 batting average, also leading the team in RBI with 27. Ian Happ adds a team‑high 8 home runs.

Jameson Taillon (R) is the projected starting pitcher for the Cubs, and he has a 2-1 record, 4.41 ERA and 1.15 WHIP.

Cincinnati Reds Preview

The Cincinnati Reds have a 20-15 record this season and are sitting in the third place of the NL Central. They have a 10-7 away record and are coming off a 4-5 loss on the road against the Cubs. They lost their previous three games against the Pirates by scores of 0-1, 7-17, and 1-9 on the road.

The Reds have a .220 batting average this season, .306 OBP and .385 Slugging percentage. Cincinnati’s pitching staff has a 4.52 ERA and 1.50 WHIP. Elly De La Cruz is the team’s best hitter with a .285 batting average, also adding a team‑high 10 home runs. Sal Stewart leads the team in RBI with 29.

Andrew Abbott (L) is the projected starting pitcher for the Reds, and he has a 1-2 record, 5.97 ERA and 1.67 WHIP.

Cincinnati Reds @ the Chicago Cubs Betting Trends: May 5, 2026

• Probable Starting Pitcher: Jameson Taillon      Record this season: 2-1      ERA: 4.41
• Home Record: 1-0
• Last 5 against Reds: 2-2

Why the Chicago Cubs will win

• The Cubs have won each of their last 12 home games.
• The Reds have lost each of their last six games against NL Central opponents.
• The Cubs have covered the run line in seven of their last eight games following a home win.
• The Cubs have led after 3 innings in six of their last seven games.
• The Cubs have led after 5 innings in seven of their last eight home games.

• Probable Starting Pitcher: Andrew Abbott      Record this season: 1-2      ERA: 5.97
• Road Record: 0-0
• Last 5 against Cubs: 3-1

Why the Cincinnati Reds will win

• The Reds have won four of their last five games against the Cubs.
• The Reds have covered the run line each of their last six night games against teams that held a winning record.
• The Cubs have failed to cover the run line in eight of their last nine games against NL Central opponents.
• The Reds have led after 3 innings in four of their last five night games against opponents that held a winning record.

Total Runs Facts

• Nine of the last 10 games between the Reds and Cubs at Wrigley Field have gone UNDER the total runs line.
• Eight of the Reds’ last 10 games have gone OVER the total runs line.
• The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in 12 of the Reds’ last 13 games at Wrigley Field.
• The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the last six games between the Reds and Cubs at Wrigley Field.

Chicago Cubs Player Prop Facts

• Seiya Suzuki has hit a home run in three of the Cubs’ last four night games against NL Central opponents that held a winning record.
• Jameson Taillon has recorded a win in five of his last six home appearances against the Reds.
• Michael Conforto has recorded at least one hit in each of his last seven appearances against NL Central opponents that held a winning record.
• Nico Hoerner ranks T10th in the league in Hits (41) this season.

Cincinnati Reds Player Prop Facts

• JJ Bleday has hit at least one home run in four of his last seven appearances with his team as a road underdog against NL opponents.
• Spencer Steer has recorded at least one hit in each of the Reds’ last nine road games.
• Elly De La Cruz ranks T8th in the league in Home Runs (10) this season.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Cubs rank 2nd in the league for on-base percentage this season (.352).
• The Cubs rank 2nd in the league for walks this season (161).
• The Reds rank 30th in the league for hits this season (254).
• The Reds rank 30th in the league for batting average this season (.220).

Reds vs Cubs Prediction

The Reds are 6-2 in their last 8 meetings against the Cubs but are 2-4 in their last four visits in Chicago.

In this Reds vs Cubs Prediction, the Cubs are coming as -165 home favorites. The Cubs stayed hot with a win yesterday and have now won six straight. They have the pitching advantage today as Jameson Taillon goes up against a struggling Andrew Abbott, with Taillon being much better at home with a 3.78 home ERA. On top of that, the Cubs have the third-best offense in baseball and are excellent against right-handed pitching and have a better bullpen, so I expect them to keep rolling today for another home win.