Cubs vs Reds Prediction 5/23/25 MLB Picks

In this article, we will formulate a Cubs vs Reds prediction for this MLB game on Friday, May 23rd at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati, Ohio. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup.

Chicago Cubs Betting Preview

The Chicago Cubs are 30-20 this season after they won two out of three against the Marlins by scores of 7-8, 14-1, and 2-1. In their game three win, Chicago was tied at one after the first inning, but they didn’t score again until the eighth, when they got the game-winning run. The Cubs recorded eight hits in the game, and they were led by Tucker, who went 3-4 with one home run and one RBI in the win. Chicago started Horton, who allowed six hits and one earned run over 5.1 innings pitched, while Keller got the win and Palencia picked up the save. 

Prior to that series, the Cubs swept the White Sox in three games and won two out of three against the Marlins. Chicago has won five of their last six games, and they are currently first in the NL Central standings. The Chicago pitching staff has a 3.90 ERA with a 1.28 WHIP and a .248 opponent batting average, while their offense has scored 293 runs with a .261 batting average and a .335 on-base percentage this season. Pete Crow-Armstrong has led Chicago with 12 home runs and 39 RBIs, while Seiya Suzuki has added 12 home runs and 43 RBIs this year. The projected starting pitcher for Chicago is Matthew Boyd, who is 4-2 with a 2.98 ERA and a 1.23 WHIP over 51.1 innings pitched this season. 

Cincinnati Reds Betting Preview

The Cincinnati Reds are 25-26 this year after they lost two out of three against Pittsburgh by scores of 7-1, 0-1, and 1-3. In their game three loss, Cincinnati tied the game at one in the third inning, but didn’t score over the final six innings for the loss. The Reds recorded four hits and they committed one error in the game, while they were led by Hays, who went 1-4 with one RBI in the loss. Cincinnati started Singer, who allowed five hits and two earned runs over 5.0 innings for the loss, while Ashcraft allowed two hits and one earned run in one relief inning. 

Prior to that series, the Reds won all three games against the Guardians, but did lose two out of three against the White Sox before that. Cincinnati has won five of their last seven games and they are currently third in the NL Central standings. The Cincinnati pitching staff has a 3.48 ERA with a 1.17 WHIP and a .223 opponent batting average, while their offense has scored 228 runs with a .241 batting average and a .317 on base percentage this season. Elly De La Cruz has led Cincinnati with eight home runs and 33 RBIs, while Austin Hays has added six home runs and 20 RBIs this year. The projected starting pitcher for Cincinnati is Hunter Greene, who is 4-2 with a 2.36 ERA and a 0.81 WHIP over 45.2 innings pitched this year. 

Why the Cubs will beat the Reds 

• The Cubs have won five of their last six games against teams that held a losing record.
• The Reds have lost each of their last eight Friday games as underdogs against National League opponents.
• The Cubs have covered the run line in four of their last five night games against NL Central opponents.
• The Reds have failed to cover the run line each of their last three home games against National League opponents that held a winning record.
• The Reds have trailed after 5 innings in three of their last four games at Great American Ball Park against National League opponents that held a winning record.

Total Runs Facts

• Each of the Reds’ last seven home games have gone UNDER the total runs line.
• Seven of the Cubs’ last nine night games against National League opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
• The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Cubs’ last six games as favorites.
• The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in seven of the last eight night games between the Cubs and Reds.

Cincinnati Reds Player Prop Facts

• Tyler Stephenson has recorded at least one Single in seven of his last eight appearances at Great American Ball Park against opponents that held a winning record.
• Spencer Steer has recorded at least one hit in each of the Reds’ last 11 games at Great American Ball Park.
• Will Benson has scored at least one run in each of the Reds’ last four games at Great American Ball Park.
• Will Benson has hit at least one home run in each of the Reds’ last four games at Great American Ball Park.
• Will Benson has recorded at least one RBI in each of the Reds’ last four home games.
• Hunter Greene has recorded seven or more strikeouts in eight of his last nine appearances at Great American Ball Park.
• Hunter Greene has recorded a win in each of his last five appearances in night games against NL teams that held a winning record.
• Jose Trevino has recorded at least one Double in each of his last three appearances with the Reds as underdogs.

Chicago Cubs Player Prop Facts

• Dansby Swanson has recorded at least one Double in four of the Cubs’ last five games at Great American Ball Park against NL Central opponents that held a losing record.
• Kyle Tucker has hit a home run in each of the Cubs’ last two games as favorites.
• Kyle Tucker has recorded at least one RBI in six of his last seven appearances in night games against NL Central teams that held a losing record.
• Dansby Swanson has scored at least one run in eight of the Cubs’ last nine road games against NL Central opponents.
• Dansby Swanson has recorded at least one Single in each of the Cubs’ last seven games.
• Ian Happ has recorded at least one hit in each of the Cubs’ last 10 road games against NL Central opponents.

Cubs vs Reds Prediction 

Chicago comes into this matchup leading the NL Central standings, and they have won five of their last six games. The Cubs are 15-10 on the road this year, while the Reds are 13-12 at home. Cincinnati is coming off a very disappointing series loss to Pittsburgh, but they have still played well in their last seven games. The Reds are starting Greene, who has allowed a total of one earned run over his last two starts, but is coming off the IL. The Cubs are going with Boyd, who has allowed two earned runs or three of his last four starts. Cincinnati definitely has the better starting pitcher, but this is a tough team to face coming off the IL. Take the Cubs here.