NFL Previews 
MLB Previews 
NBA Previews 
NHL Previews 
Soccer Previews 
Prediction 
Odds 
Last Recap 
Game Picks 
Top Handicapper 
Chicago Cubs vs Cincinnati Reds August 4th 2025
The Cincinnati Reds will take on the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on Monday, August 4, 2025, at 8:05 PM. The Reds, managed by Terry Francona, have a record of 58-54 and are ranked third in the NL Central. They are coming off a loss and have gone 6-4 in their last 10 games.
The Cubs, led by manager Craig Counsell, hold a 65-46 record and are second in the division. They won their last game and have a 5-5 record over the last 10 games. The game will be played under overcast clouds with a light breeze, making for a warm evening at the outdoor stadium.
Reds vs Cubs Key Information
- Sport: Baseball
- Teams: Cincinnati Reds vs. Chicago Cubs
- Venue: Wrigley Field in Chicago, IL
- Date: Monday, August 4, 2025
- Betting Odds: Reds Moneyline +118, Cubs Moneyline -139, Reds Runline +1.5 (-182), Cubs Runline -1.5 (+148), Total Over 8.0 (-105), Total Under 8.0 (-115)
The Reds Can Win If…
The Cincinnati Reds are coming off a narrow 4-2 loss against the Atlanta Braves. Despite the loss, the Reds’ offense managed 10 hits, with Matt McLain contributing two hits and one RBI. Starting pitcher Chase Burns showed promise in his brief outing, striking out two batters in one inning without allowing a hit.
The Reds have a strong chance to win with Nick Lodolo on the mound. Lodolo boasts an ERA of 3.09 and a WHIP of 1.05, making him a reliable pitcher. The Reds’ lineup is also formidable, with Elly De La Cruz leading the team in home runs and RBIs.
Cincinnati’s batting stats indicate they can perform well offensively. They rank 9th in batting average and 8th in on-base percentage. With their strong pitching and capable hitters, the Reds are well-positioned to secure a win against the Chicago Cubs.
The Cubs Can Win If…
The Chicago Cubs recently won against the Baltimore Orioles 5-3. Justin Turner played a big role with a home run and two RBIs. Seiya Suzuki and Dansby Swanson also contributed with key hits.
The Cubs’ offense is strong this season. They rank 3rd in batting average at .255 and 2nd in slugging percentage at .441. Their ability to hit home runs is shown by their 3rd place ranking with 159 homers.
Michael Soroka will start for the Cubs. Though his ERA is 4.87, his WHIP of 1.13 shows he can control base runners. The Cubs’ lineup, with players like Seiya Suzuki and Michael Busch, can provide the needed support to secure a win.
The Lean
The Cubs are favored to win with a moneyline of -139. My model projects the Cubs to win 5-4. The Cubs have a higher batting average and slugging percentage, which gives them an edge in hitting. This makes the Cubs a solid pick to win the game.
The total for the game is set at 8.0. My model projects a combined score of 9 runs. Both teams have decent hitting stats, and the Cubs have a higher slugging percentage. This suggests that the total will go over 8.0 runs.
Dive into Advanced MLB Metrics
Subscribe Today
Michael Soroka Embraces “New Life” in Cubs Debut Against Reds
It is a story of a new beginning, a tale of a talented pitcher who has overcome devastating injuries and is now getting a fresh start with a championship contender. Right-hander Michael Soroka, the Chicago Cubs’ big acquisition at the trade deadline, will make his debut for his new team on Monday night. He will take the mound in front of a passionate home crowd at Wrigley Field as the first-place Chicago Cubs open a crucial three-game series against their National League Central rivals, the Cincinnati Reds. For Soroka, it is a chance to find a “new life” and contribute to a World Series run. For the Cubs, it is the first look at a player they hope will be a key piece of their October puzzle.
“A New Breath of Adrenaline”: Soroka’s Second Chance
Michael Soroka’s journey to this moment has been a long and arduous one. A former All-Star with the Atlanta Braves, his career was derailed by two separate ruptures of his Achilles tendon, injuries that cost him the entire 2021 and 2022 seasons. After a difficult comeback season with the struggling Washington Nationals, the trade to a first-place team in Chicago has provided him with a massive jolt of energy and purpose.
“It’s new life,” an excited Soroka said. “Kind of like a new start to the season for me. You get some long days in July. You’re looking forward to this [MLB] trade deadline and seeing what happens. Obviously, joining a team like this, it’s a new breath of adrenaline and life. So looking to take that through the end of the season and, hopefully, help this team compete for a World Series.”
Soroka is also excited about the prospect of pitching in front of one of the best defensive teams in the majors, a luxury he did not have in Washington. “It helps a ton when the defense is as good as it is,” he said. “I obviously got to watch Dansby (Swanson) for a long time with the Braves, and this is a team, from the outside looking in, you see that as well.”
The table below provides a snapshot of the two teams as they enter this pivotal divisional series. To review the full box score from their last matchup, you can check the official MLB game results.
| Team | Record | Division Standing | Runs Per Game | Team ERA |
| Chicago Cubs | 68-45 | 1st in NL Central | 5.1 | 3.90 |
| Cincinnati Reds | 53-62 | 4th in NL Central | 4.6 | 4.35 |
Burning to Rewrite History
For Soroka, the motivation to contribute to a winner is deeply personal. He was a part of the Braves organization when they won the World Series in 2021, but he had to watch the entire run from the sidelines as he recovered from his injury. That painful experience has fueled his desire to win a championship as an active contributor.
“Although it was exciting to be along with the team… it’s still something that’s burning me to this day that I really didn’t do a ton that year,” he said. “I didn’t throw a pitch, so looking to rewrite that and have new memories this time.” His journey is a testament to perseverance, a key topic often explored in our expert betting guide.
The Consistent Ace: Nick Lodolo
While the Cubs have their new acquisition on the mound, the Reds will counter with their own established ace. Left-hander Nick Lodolo (8-6, 3.09 ERA) has been a model of consistency for Cincinnati, and he was particularly dominant in the month of July, posting a stellar 1.89 ERA in five starts. He is coming off a fantastic outing against the Dodgers where he struck out a season-high 11 batters. At just 26 years old, Lodolo has emerged as the leader of the Reds’ staff.
“That was my goal I set out for in the offseason,” he said of reaching a new career high in starts. “I don’t want to just barely beat it, I want to blow past it. I feel good and in a position to do that.”
The Pitching Matchup: A Deeper Look
Monday night’s game features a fantastic duel between Soroka, the veteran with a new lease on life, and Lodolo, the young ace at the top of his game.
| Pitcher | W-L (2025) | ERA (2025) | Career vs. Opponent |
| Michael Soroka (CHC) | 3-8 | 4.87 | 1-2, 3.94 ERA |
| Nick Lodolo (CIN) | 8-6 | 3.09 | 2-2, 4.46 ERA |
The Post-Spectacle Letdown?
The Reds are coming into this series after a unique and emotionally charged weekend. They participated in the inaugural “Speedway Classic” at Bristol Motor Speedway, a historic event in front of a record-breaking crowd. While the experience was a memorable one, there is always the risk of an emotional letdown when a team returns to the daily grind of a regular-season series. The scores and odds for this matchup will be tight. For more in-depth analysis of other games, you can view all of our MLB previews. To see who our experts are backing, check out our daily MLB picks. To get access to even more premium content and betting tools, you can register for an account today.
