| MATCHUP | Cincinnati Reds | Chicago Cubs |
|---|---|---|
| Team Records | 63-71 | 76-58 |
| Spread | +1.5 -131 | -1.5 109 |
| Moneyline | +170 | -183 |
| Total | Over 8.5 (-101) | Under 8.5 (-119) |
| Where | Wrigley Field, Chicago, Illinois | |
| When | Friday, August 28, 2026 | |
| Time | 02:20 PM EDT | |
| TV | ESPN Unlmtd | |
Chicago Cubs Preview
The Chicago Cubs have a 76-58 record this season and sit in second place in the NL Central. They have a 38-27 home record and are coming off a 0-2 road loss against the Diamondbacks. They will face the Brewers and the Marlins next.
The Chicago Cubs have a .249 batting average this season, .338 OBP, and .422 slugging percentage. Chicago’s pitching staff has a 4.09 ERA and 1.25 WHIP. Pete Crow-Armstrong is the Cubs’ best hitter with a .276 batting average, while leading the team in RBI with 83, also adding a team-high 33 home runs.
David Peterson (L) is the projected starting pitcher for the Cubs, has a 7-7 record, 5.17 ERA, and 1.50 WHIP.
Cincinnati Reds Preview
The Cincinnati Reds have a 63-71 record this season and sit in fifth place in the NL Central. They have a 31-35 road record and are coming off a 10-9 road win against the Giants. They will face the Padres and the Brewers next.
The Cincinnati Reds have a .227 batting average this season, .306 OBP, and .392 slugging percentage. Cincinnati’s pitching staff has a 4.55 ERA and 1.41 WHIP. Elly De La Cruz is the Reds’ best hitter with a .265 batting average. Sal Stewart leads the team in RBI with 100, also adding a team-high 28 home runs.
Rhett Lowder (R) is the projected starting pitcher for the Reds, has a 5-8 record, 5.13 ERA, and 1.47 WHIP.
Cincinnati Reds @ the Chicago Cubs Betting Trends: August 28, 2026
- Probable Starting Pitcher: David Peterson Record this season: 7-7 ERA: 5.17
- Home Record: 2-4
- Last 5 against Reds: 1-1
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 Reds have trailed after 5 innings in each of their last five games against NL Central opponents.
- 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 Cubs have led after 3 innings in each of their last three home games against NL opponents that held a losing record.
- Probable Starting Pitcher: Rhett Lowder Record this season: 5-8 ERA: 5.13
- Road Record: 3-7
- Last 5 against Cubs: 0-1
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.
- David Peterson has recorded a win in three of his last four appearances against NL opponents.
- Nico Hoerner has recorded at least one hit in each of his last nine appearances after not playing the previous day.
- 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).
Reds vs Cubs Prediction
The Cubs are 6-1 in their last 7 meetings against the Reds and have won their last four meetings in Chicago.
In this Reds vs Cubs Prediction, the Cubs are coming as -180 home favorites. I don’t like the pitching in this matchup, as both starters have been struggling this season with a combined 10.30 ERA. Lowder has been even weaker on the road for the Reds with a 6.92 road ERA, while Peterson is also weaker at home with a 6.16 ERA. Both offenses have been red-hot lately, scoring 11.8 runs per game combined in their last 5 games and 12.1 against the opposing starter throwing hand. Take the over 8 in this one.