Chicago Cubs vs Cincinnati Reds Picks and Predictions August 5th 2025

Chicago Cubs vs Cincinnati Reds August 5th 2025

The Cincinnati Reds will visit the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on Tuesday, August 5, 2025. The game will start at 8:05 PM and air on TBS. The Reds have a record of 59-54 and are ranked third in the NL Central. They have won 6 of their last 10 games. The Cubs, with a record of 65-47, are second in the division and have split their last 10 games evenly.

Wrigley Field will host the game under clear skies and a light breeze. Zack Littell will start for the Reds, bringing an ERA of 3.58. Shota Imanaga will pitch for the Cubs with an ERA of 3.25. The Reds have a road record of 26-28, while the Cubs have a strong home record of 35-21. Both teams aim to improve their standings in the NL Central.

Reds vs Cubs Key Information

• Sport: Baseball
• Teams: Cincinnati Reds vs. Chicago Cubs
• Venue: Wrigley Field in Chicago, IL
• Date: Tuesday, August 5, 2025
• Betting Odds: Reds Moneyline +157, Cubs Moneyline -186, Reds Runline +1.5 (-151), Cubs Runline -1.5 (+126), Total Over 8.0 (-108), Total Under 8.0 (-113)

The Reds Can Win If…

The Cincinnati Reds enter this game with momentum from a recent 3-2 win against the Chicago Cubs. In that game, Tyler Stephenson hit a home run, and Nick Lodolo pitched well, allowing no hits in 1 2/3 innings. Elly De La Cruz also contributed with a double and an RBI, showcasing the depth of the Reds’ lineup.

The Reds have a strong batting lineup, ranked 10th in batting average and 8th in on-base percentage this season. Elly De La Cruz leads the team with 19 home runs and 73 RBIs, making him a key player to watch. Their ability to get on base and produce runs makes them a tough opponent for any team.

On the mound, Zack Littell will start for the Reds with an ERA of 3.58 and a WHIP of 1.12. The Reds’ pitching staff ranks 5th in batting average against, showing they can limit opponents’ scoring opportunities. With strong performances from both the hitters and pitchers, the Reds have a good chance to secure another win.

The Cubs Can Win If…

The Chicago Cubs are set to take on the Cincinnati Reds with hopes of bouncing back from their recent 3-2 loss. In that game, Dansby Swanson hit a home run, driving in two runs. Michael Soroka pitched two innings, allowing one run and striking out three.

The Cubs have strong hitting stats this season, ranking 2nd in slugging percentage at .439 and 3rd in home runs with 160. Their lineup includes Seiya Suzuki, who leads the team with 26 home runs and 82 RBIs. Michael Busch and Kyle Tucker also bring power, each with over 20 home runs.

Shota Imanaga will start on the mound for the Cubs, boasting a 3.25 ERA and an 8-4 record. His performance can be a key factor in securing a win. The Cubs’ pitching staff ranks 8th in quality starts, which could help them control the game.

The Lean

The Cubs are favored to win with a moneyline of -186. The Reds have a moneyline of +157. The Cubs have a stronger batting lineup, ranking 4th in batting average and 3rd in home runs. My model projects the Cubs to win 5-3. Based on these factors, the recommendation is to pick the Cubs to win straight up.

The total runs line is set at 8.0. The Cubs have a higher slugging percentage and rank 2nd in this category. The Reds’ pitching has a lower earned run average at 3.87. My model projects a total score of 8 runs. With the current line and projections, the recommendation is to pick the total to stay under 8.0.

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A Battle of Bullpens: New Reds Starter Zack Littell Faces Cubs’ Ace Imanaga

It is a game that will be defined by the state of the bullpens. Two National League Central rivals, both dealing with beleaguered and overworked relief corps, will clash on Tuesday night at the historic confines of Wrigley Field. The visiting Cincinnati Reds, fresh off a gritty series-opening victory, will hand the ball to their new trade-deadline acquisition, Zack Littell, for his team debut. His mission is clear: provide some much-needed length for a pitching staff that is running on fumes. He will face a tough test against the first-place Chicago Cubs and their own dominant ace, Shota Imanaga.

The Bullpen Blues

For both the Reds and the Cubs, the last few days have been a brutal grind for their pitching staffs. The Reds’ bullpen has been stretched to its absolute limit. On Saturday, their game against the Braves was suspended after just one inning, forcing them to use five relievers to cover the remaining eight innings on Sunday. Then, in Monday’s series opener against the Cubs, their starter, Nick Lodolo, had to leave the game after just 1 2/3 innings due to a blister, forcing another five relievers into action. That is a staggering 10 relief pitchers used to cover 14 1/3 innings in just two games. The team is desperate for a starting pitcher to go deep into a game and give their bullpen a day off.

The Cubs are dealing with their own injury issues. Their own new trade-deadline acquisition, Michael Soroka, made his debut on Monday and had to leave after just two innings with shoulder discomfort. He is now heading to the injured list, putting another strain on Chicago’s pitching depth.

The table below provides a snapshot of two teams that are in the thick of the NL Central race, with the Cubs holding a significant lead.

A Debut with a Clear Mission: Zack Littell

The Reds’ front office was well aware of their need for starting pitching depth, which is why they went out and acquired right-hander Zack Littell (8-8, 3.58 ERA) from the Tampa Bay Rays at the deadline. The move was a strategic one, as Reds manager David Bell explained that acquiring a reliable starter like Littell would allow them to move their own versatile arm, Nick Martinez, to the bullpen to strengthen that unit.

“Speaking kind of honestly, we thought the price for relievers was just going berserk,” Bell said. “And we thought, well, Nick Martinez is as good or better than any of these guys. So let’s just try to get a starter, and I think it’s going to help us.”

Now, Littell will make his debut with a very clear mission: eat innings. The 29-year-old has been a solid and reliable pitcher for the Rays this season and has a history of pitching effectively against the Cubs, with a career 0.00 ERA in six relief appearances against them.

Before you place your next bet, check out our expert sportsbook reviews. And if you want to bet like a pro, see our list of the best handicappers.

Imanaga the Stopper

While the Reds are turning to a new face, the Cubs will counter with their established ace. Left-hander Shota Imanaga (8-4, 3.25 ERA) has been a dominant force for Chicago since returning from the injured list, posting a 3-1 record with a 2.31 ERA in his last four starts. With the injury to Soroka, Imanaga’s role as the stopper and leader of the rotation becomes even more crucial. He will look to shut down a Reds lineup that has historically struggled against left-handed pitching, with a team batting average of just .222 against southpaws this season. The strategic nuances of a struggling offense facing an elite pitcher is a key topic in our expert betting guide.

The Pitching Matchup: A Deeper Look

Tuesday’s game features a fantastic duel between the veteran Littell, making his debut with a new team, and the ace Imanaga, who has been dominant. You can check the official MLB game results to see how these pitchers fared in their most recent starts.

The scores and odds for this matchup will likely favor the home team with their ace on the mound. For more in-depth analysis of this and 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.