- Matchup: Cincinnati Reds vs. Chicago Cubs
- Date: Friday, August 28, 2026
- Venue: Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL
- Broadcast: Marquee Network
- Betting Odds: Cincinnati (+120) Chicago (-144)
This page may include affiliate links at no extra cost to you, thanks for your support.
The Cincinnati Reds (63-71) are heading to Wrigley Field this Friday to take on the Chicago Cubs (76-58). The current odds place the Reds at +120, while the Cubs are favored at -144. The total for this matchup is set at 9 runs, with Rhett Lowder and David Peterson slated to pitch.
The Reds boast a slugging percentage of .392, having struck out 1,272 times while drawing 479 walks. Their performance this season includes 524 runs batted in and 1,010 hits, resulting in a batting average of .227. Cincinnati has registered 190 doubles and hit 173 home runs, accumulating a total of 548 runs with a team on-base percentage of .306. As a collective, the Reds are averaging 4.1 runs per game, ranking 24th in Major League Baseball.
The Reds’ K/BB ratio stands at 1.96, and their pitchers maintain a WHIP of 1.41. This season, Reds pitchers have surrendered 167 home runs and a total of 648 runs (24th in the league). Cincinnati has given up 1,131 hits (8.6 per 9 innings) and 601 earned runs, resulting in a team ERA of 4.55 (24th in MLB). The pitching staff has logged 1,079 strikeouts, allowing 551 walks, with a FIP of 4.66 for the year.
Reds relief pitchers have faced runners on base 143 times and have appeared in 164 high-leverage situations, collecting 73 holds (13th in the league). Their save rate stands at 61.8%, converting 34 of 55 save opportunities. This season, the relief corps has inherited 207 base runners, with 28.5% scoring. In total, Cincinnati has sent 468 relief pitchers to the mound.
Defensively, the Reds have converted 70.0% of plays into outs over 10,701 innings, ranked 13th in MLB. The team has achieved 3,567 putouts, recorded 1,079 assists, and committed 73 errors, leading to a fielding percentage of .985 (19th in MLB). They have executed 92 double plays this season.
Lowder, with a 7-10 career record, holds a FIP of 4.20, having faced 606 batters. He has allowed 139 hits (9.1 hits per 9 innings) and issued 57 walks. His ERA stands at 4.26 (65 earned runs), with a WHIP of 1.429. Over 137 innings, he has struck out 105 batters in his professional career.
The Cubs have hit 177 home runs this season and recorded 656 runs batted in, alongside 225 doubles. They’ve drawn 568 walks and scored a total of 695 runs. With a team OBP of .338 and a batting average of .249, the Cubs’ slugging percentage is .422, averaging 5.19 runs per game (1st in MLB). The team has struck out 1,148 times (9th in the league) while achieving a total of 1,144 hits.
Chicago’s pitching staff has allowed 576 runs, with an ERA of 4.09 (544 earned runs). The team has given up 198 home runs and allows 4.33 runs per 9 innings (11th in MLB). Their WHIP is 1.250, and they maintain a FIP of 4.66. With a K/BB ratio of 7.70 (1,025 strikeouts against 400 walks), they rank 17th in total hits allowed with 1,096.
In save situations, the Cubs have recorded 49 holds and 22 blown saves out of 106 opportunities. They’ve saved 29 of 51 opportunities this season, with a bullpen inherited score percentage of 30.4% from their 181 inherited runners. Their relievers have appeared in 129 high-leverage situations and 132 with runners on base, ranking 24th in save percentage at 56.9%. They’ve sent 429 relievers to the mound in 2026.
The Cubs have turned 103 double plays with a stellar fielding percentage of .990 (1st in MLB). They have achieved 1,269 assists, committed 49 errors, and managed a total of 3,593 putouts this season. With a defensive efficiency of 72.2% over 10,779 innings, they rank 2nd in professional baseball.
Throughout his career, Peterson has surrendered 640 hits while racking up 654 strikeouts over 672 innings. His ERA is 4.11, having given up 307 earned runs with a WHIP of 1.370 and a FIP of 4.0. His K/BB ratio is reported at 2.33, having faced 2,884 batters in MLB. Peterson carries a 41-31 career record while allowing 8.6 hits per nine innings.
Who will emerge victorious in tonight’s MLB clash against the spread or moneyline?
Selection: Bet on Cincinnati (+120)
Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you sign up or make a purchase through them, we may earn a small commission always at no extra cost to you. Thanks for helping us keep this site running.
