Cincinnati Reds vs Chicago Cubs Prediction, Preview and Odds - 08/05/2025

Game Time: 8:05 pm ET, Tuesday, August 5, 2025

Venue:  Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL 

Where to Watch:  TBS

DraftKings:  Moneyline odds:  Reds +149, Cubs -182; Over/Under:  7.5 runs

Bet365:  Moneyline odds:  Reds +150, Cubs -180; Over/Under:  7.5 runs

BetMGM:  Moneyline odds:  Reds +150, Cubs -180; Over/Under:  7.5 runs

Cincinnati Reds:  58-54 (3rd place, NL Central)

Chicago Cubs:  65-46 (2nd place, NL Central)

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Cincinnati Reds:  6-4 last 10

Chicago Cubs:  5-5 last 10

The Reds are entering this series off a loss and lost their 3-game series against the Atlanta Braves 2-1 in their last series. They enter this game with a 58-54 record overall and have a road record of 25-28. This is the 2nd game of a 3-game series with the Cubs on Tuesday with the series opener still to be played on Monday. Their offense ranks 16th in the MLB with a .714 OPS. Nick Lodolo is their starting pitcher on Monday while Zack Littell is making his start in this game on Tuesday. He is 8-8 with a 3.58 ERA this season. His team lost their last 2 straight games this season with him making an appearance. In his last MLB regular season start, he allowed 0 ER, 0 HR, and 4 BB with 4 SO on 2 hits through 5 IP against the New York Yankees.

The Cubs are entering this series off a win and won their 3-game series against the Baltimore Orioles 2-1 in their last series. They enter this game with a 65-46 record overall and have a home record of 35-20. This is the 2nd game of a 3-game series with the Reds on Tuesday with the 1st game of this series still to be played on Monday. Their offense ranks 3rd in the MLB with a .765 OPS. Michael Soroka is their starting pitcher on Monday while Shota Imanaga is making his start in this game on Tuesday. He is 8-4 with a 3.25 ERA this season. His team won 3 of their last 4 games this season with him making an appearance. In his last MLB regular season start, he allowed 3 earned runs, 2 homers, and 0 walks with 8 strikeouts on 5 hits through 5 innings pitched against the Milwaukee Brewers.

The current betting odds have the Cubs listed as a favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Cubs have looked really good in their games this season with their 65-46 record overall which has them right near the top of the NL Central with one of the best records in the MLB. They have also looked great in their own ballpark this year with their 35-20 home record. Meanwhile, the Reds have looked good in their games this season with their 58-54 record overall which has them right in the middle of the NL Central. They haven't been a great road team though with their 25-28 road record this season. The Reds have been the hotter team coming into this series, but the Cubs have been more consistent all year and now they need to get back on a run with the Brewers taking over the lead of their division. They are coming off a series win over the Orioles and they are going to have the better pitching matchup too so that is something they can take advantage of at home where they have been a much better team. The Cubs are going with Imanaga in this one and he has been a stud for them this season. He is 8-4 with a 3.25 ERA and hasn't been giving up many runs lately. He did give up 3 earned runs in his last start, but the team has still won 3 of their last 4 games with him starting and he will be looking to have a better performance here at home. The Reds are going with Littell in this one and he hasn't looked bad this season. He is 8-8 with a 3.58 ERA and hasn't been giving up a ton of runs. He is coming off a good start too, giving up no runs, but his team has lost 2 games in a row with him starting and even being on a new team here, the Reds don't have a top offense in the MLB. The Reds haven't been putting up a ton of runs lately either so even with a good start for Littell, the Cubs will be able to edge them out here. The best way to place a bet here is on the Cubs to win this game. 

Reds Cubs Prediction:  Our MLB Pick for Tuesday, August 5, 2025 (8:05 pm ET start time) is Cubs 6 Reds 3.

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Cincinnati Reds: 55-71 (-16.1 units) on the moneyline against left-handed starters. 104-116 (-9.1 units) on the moneyline vs. an NL team with a team batting average of .255 or worse. 39-52 (-4.4 units) on the moneyline vs. an NL starting pitcher whose WHIP is 1.250 or better. 52-28 UNDER when playing against a good team (Win Pct. 54% to 62%).

Chicago Cubs: 232-203 (+14.1 units) on the moneyline in all games. 125-92 (+14.6 units) on the moneyline in home games. 148-96 (+16.9 units) on the moneyline as a favorite of -110 or higher. 12-6 UNDER at home vs. a starting pitcher who gives up 1 or more HR's/start.

Cincinnati Reds:  W. Miley (SP) Sixty Day IL - Flexor. I. Gibaut (RP) Fifteen Day IL - Shoulder. H. Greene (SP) Fifteen Day IL - Groin. R. Lowder (SP) Sixty Day IL - Forearm. C. Spiers (RP) Sixty Day IL - Shoulder. T. Callihan (LF) Sixty Day IL - Forearm. B. Williamson (SP) Sixty Day IL - Elbow. J. Aguiar (SP) Sixty Day IL - Elbow.

Chicago Cubs:  M. Amaya (C) Sixty Day IL - Oblique. J. Taillon (SP) Fifteen Day IL - Calf. E. Morgan (RP) Sixty Day IL - Elbow. J. Assad (RP) Sixty Day IL - Oblique. J. Steele (SP) Sixty Day IL - Elbow.

“You deal with what is thrown at you, and hopefully when something does get thrown at you, you deal with it to a point that we can win a game. And we didn’t. We were unfortunate, I admit that. But that doesn’t mean we can’t win the game.” - Terry Francona after his team’s loss against the Braves in their game on Sunday.

“He’s so engaged in other peoples’ success. So when that player has success, it just means a little bit more.” - Craig Counsell on Justin Turner after his team’s win against the Orioles in their game on Sunday.

TJ Friedl (L) CF

Matt McLain (R) 2B

Elly De La Cruz (S) SS

Austin Hays (R) DH

Miguel Andujar (R) LF

Noelvi Marte (R) RF

Spencer Steer (R) 1B

Tyler Stephenson (R) C

Ke'Bryan Hayes (R) 3B

Michael Busch (L) 1B

Kyle Tucker (L) RF

Seiya Suzuki (R) DH

Pete Crow-Armstrong (L) CF

Carson Kelly (R) C

Ian Happ (S) LF

Willi Castro (S) 3B

Nico Hoerner (R) 2B

Dansby Swanson (R) SS

Batting Average:  Austin Wynns (.400)

Hits:  Elly De La Cruz (121)

Home Runs:  Elly De La Cruz (19)

RBI:  Elly De La Cruz (72)

Stolen Bases:  Elly De La Cruz (30)

Wins:  Nick Martinez (9)

Saves:  Emilio Pagán (23)

ERA:  Andrew Abbott (2.15)

Batting Average:  Willi Castro (.375)

Hits:  Nico Hoerner (120)

Home Runs:  Pete Crow-Armstrong (27)

RBI:  Seiya Suzuki (82)

Stolen Bases:  Pete Crow-Armstrong (29)

Wins:  Matthew Boyd (11)

Saves:  Daniel Palencia (15)

ERA:  Michael Fulmer (0.00)

Managers:

Cincinnati Reds: Terry Francona (1st season)

Chicago Cubs: Craig Counsell (2nd season)