Chicago Cubs vs Cincinnati Reds Picks and Predictions May 30th 2025

Cubs Ride Rookie Spark Into Series

Pete Crow-Armstrong’s rapid 15-homer/15-steal pace has energized Chicago’s lineup and fueled a four-game winning streak. After blasting a pitch below the knees into the right-field seats on Wednesday, the 23-year-old center fielder owns nine RBIs in his past three games against Cincinnati. Those contributions offset a brief offensive lull versus Colorado and positioned the Cubs to extend their surge. For game-by-game capsules, swing by our updated MLB previews hub.

Abbott vs. Rea: Déjà Vu on the Mound

Friday’s opener is a rematch of last weekend’s duel. Reds left-hander Andrew Abbott (4-0, 1.77 ERA in May) blanked Chicago for 5 2⁄3 frames and now carries a 0.70 ERA over five May starts. Dansby Swanson remains the Cub most comfortable in this matchup, boasting two doubles and a homer in 11 plate appearances against Abbott.

Right-hander Colin Rea (3-1, 3.28) was tagged for six runs in five innings in that contest yet still owns a 5-1 lifetime record versus the Reds. Rea’s key adjustment will be limiting first-pitch fastballs over the heart of the plate—something Cincinnati’s left-hand bats punished last week. Handicappers breaking down the pitching split can tap the expert betting guide for advanced metrics and park-factor insights.

Reds Monitoring Austin Hays

Designated hitter Austin Hays exited Wednesday’s game after fouling a ball off his left foot. X-rays were inconclusive, and a Thursday scan will decide his status. Hays is slashing .303/.360/.500 with six homers and 25 RBIs, giving Cincinnati a critical right-handed counter to Crow-Armstrong’s glove in center.

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Betting Outlook and Value Spots

With Abbott’s scoreless streak inflating Cincinnati’s price, Chicago may open as a home underdog despite the Cubs’ momentum and bullpen that owns a 1.98 ERA over the past week. Bettors seeking free leans can check today’s MLB picks, while those looking to invest can review premium tickets on the Buy Picks board.

Leaderboard Pulse

Selecting sides in an ace-versus-ace matchup often comes down to trusting form. The Best Handicappers leaderboard shows several cappers riding five-plus-unit MLB streaks—an indicator worth watching before first pitch.

Game Preview: Reds at Cubs

• First pitch: Friday, 2:20 p.m. CT, Wrigley Field
• Abbott in May: 0.70 ERA, .172 opponent average
• Crow-Armstrong at Wrigley: .318 AVG, .627 SLG
• Forecast: 12 mph southwest breeze blowing out to right

Chicago’s path to a fifth straight win hinges on early patience against Abbott and sharper command from Rea. If Crow-Armstrong stays in his “go-zone” below the knees, yet another milestone could follow—and Wrigley’s ivy-covered walls may witness one of June’s first statement games in the NL Central.