- Matchup: Cincinnati Reds vs. Chicago Cubs
- Date: Saturday, August 29, 2026
- Venue: Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL
- Broadcast: Marquee Network
- Betting Odds: Cincinnati (+106), Chicago (-128)
This page may include affiliate links at no extra cost to you, thanks for your support.
On Saturday, the Chicago Cubs (76-58) will face off against the Cincinnati Reds (63-71) at Wrigley Field. The moneyline features the Reds at +106 and the Cubs at -128, with an over/under set at 8.5. Starting pitchers are expected to be Andrew Abbott for the Reds and Kevin Gausman for the Cubs.
This season, the Reds have recorded 190 doubles and hit 173 home runs. Their slugging percentage stands at .392, and they have totaled 1,272 strikeouts with 479 walks. Cincinnati’s scoring average is 4.1 runs per game, positioning them 24th in MLB. For the season, they have amassed 524 RBIs and 1,010 hits with a batting average of .227, contributing to 548 total runs and a team on-base percentage (OBP) of .306.
The Reds have posted a team earned run average (ERA) of 4.55 this season, placing them 24th in the league. Their pitching staff has fanned 1,079 hitters and allowed 167 home runs along with 648 runs (also 24th in MLB). They have issued 551 walks, giving them a FIP of 4.66 for the season. Cincinnati’s pitchers have allowed 1,131 hits, averaging 8.6 hits per nine innings, resulting in 601 earned runs. Their strikeout-to-walk ratio stands at 1.96, with a WHIP of 1.41.
This season, the Reds have employed 468 relievers, with 207 inherited runners, and 28.5% of those have scored. The bullpen has secured 73 holds (ranking 13th in MLB) and has entered 164 high-leverage situations. With 34 saves achieved, they have failed to convert on 21 of 55 save opportunities, resulting in a 61.8% save percentage while participating in 131 save situations.
Defensively, the Reds have registered 3,567 putouts, 1,079 assists, and have committed 73 errors, yielding a fielding percentage of .985, which places them 19th in the league. They have successfully turned 92 double plays and have converted 70.0% of balls in play into outs over their 10,701 innings, ranking them 13th in MLB.
Andrew Abbott (career record of 34-32) has a FIP of 3.56, having faced 2,359 batters in MLB. He has allowed 511 hits (8.2 hits per nine innings) and issued 207 walks, with an ERA of 3.61 (224 earned runs). Abbott has pitched 558 innings, accumulating 497 strikeouts throughout his career.
The Chicago Cubs have a .338 OBP along with a team batting average of .249 for the season. They have been struck out 1,148 times (ranking 9th in MLB) and have tallied 1,144 hits. The Cubs have belted 177 home runs and driven in 656 runs this season, boasting a SLG% of .422 and an impressive 5.19 runs scored per game (1st in the league). They have also recorded 225 doubles and drawn 568 walks, summing 695 runs overall.
As a pitching unit, the Cubs have a WHIP of 1.250 and a FIP of 4.66. They rank 17th in hits allowed, with 1,096. The pitching staff has surrendered 576 runs this season, resulting in an ERA of 4.09 (544 earned runs). Their K/BB ratio stands at 7.70 (1,025 strikeouts vs. 400 walks), allowing 198 home runs and 4.33 runs per nine innings (11th in MLB).
With 106 save opportunities, the Cubs have recorded 49 holds and suffered 22 blown saves. Their relievers have participated in 51 save chances, converting 29 saves. The bullpen carries a 30.4% inherited runs scoring rate from 181 inherited runners, having faced 129 high-leverage appearances and 132 instances with runners on. They rank 24th in MLB with a 56.9% save percentage, dispatching 429 relief pitchers this season.
In their 10,779 innings played, the Cubs have achieved a defensive efficiency percentage of 72.2% (2nd in professional baseball). They have executed 103 double plays and possess a league-leading fielding percentage of .990. With 1,269 assists, 49 errors, and 3,593 putouts accumulated this season, their defense has been exceptional.
In his MLB journey, Kevin Gausman has ceded 1,856 hits and recorded 1,976 strikeouts in 1,934 innings pitched. Gausman (career record of 114-114) holds a 3.82 ERA and has permitted 8.6 hits per nine innings. He has allowed 821 earned runs, with a WHIP of 1.239 and a FIP of 3.80. His K/BB ratio is 3.66, having faced 8,079 batters in his professional career.
Who will come out on top in today’s MLB matchup against the spread or moneyline?
Prediction: Bet on Chicago (-128) and the under 8.5 runs
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.
