Chicago Cubs vs Cincinnati Reds: Game Preview, Pitching Matchup & Key Stats for August 5, 2025 at Wrigley Field

Tuesday, August 5th, 2025

Cincinnati Reds vs. Chicago Cubs: Preview, Pitching Matchups, and Key Players

The Cincinnati Reds (59-54) head to Wrigley Field to continue their three-game series against the Chicago Cubs (65-47) in a National League Central matchup. The game is set for Tuesday, August 5, at 7:05 PM, with the Reds looking to build on a 1-0 series lead.

Pitching Probables: Littell vs. Imanaga

The starting pitchers for this matchup are Zack Littell for the Reds, who enters with an 8-8 record, a 3.58 ERA, a 1.12 WHIP, and 89 strikeouts, and Shota Imanaga for the Cubs, who holds an 8-4 record, a 3.25 ERA, a 1.04 WHIP, and 63 strikeouts. The betting odds favor the Cubs (-185), while the Reds are listed at +153, with an over/under of eight runs for the contest.

Cubs at Home and On the Season

The Chicago Cubs boast an impressive 35-21 record at home and stand at 65-47 overall. As a team, Cubs hitters have produced a collective batting average of .254, which ranks fourth in Major League Baseball. This consistent offensive output has been a key factor in their strong season performance.

Reds on the Road and Season Overview

The Cincinnati Reds have held their own with a 26-28 road record and a 59-54 overall mark. Offensively, the Reds enter with a .320 team on-base percentage, ranking tenth among all MLB teams. They are looking to move up in the NL Central and narrow the gap with the Cubs.

Head-to-Head Series

This game marks the eighth meeting between the Reds and Cubs this season. The season series is currently led by the Cubs, 4-3. With the Reds up 1-0 in this three-game set, both teams aim to gain the upper hand in pivotal games down the stretch.

Top Performers to Watch

For the Cubs, Seiya Suzuki has been a standout with 25 doubles, three triples, and 26 home runs this season. Ian Happ has also been hot recently, going 8-for-30 with three doubles and two home runs in his last 10 games.

On the Reds side, Spencer Steer has contributed 15 doubles, two triples, and 12 home runs, while Tyler Stephenson is 8-for-33 with a double and two home runs over his past 10 games.

Last 10 Games Snapshot

In their last 10 games, the Cubs are 5-5 with a .235 batting average, a 4.45 ERA, and have been outscored by three runs. The Reds are 6-4 with a .247 average, a 3.46 ERA, and have outscored opponents by eight runs, showing a recent uptick in both offense and pitching.

Injury Report

The Cubs are dealing with several injuries, including Mike Soroka (shoulder, day-to-day), Miguel Amaya (60-Day IL, oblique), Jameson Taillon (15-Day IL, calf), Eli Morgan (60-Day IL, elbow), Javier Assad (60-Day IL, oblique), and Justin Steele (60-Day IL, elbow).

The Reds' injury list features Nick Lodolo (finger, day-to-day), Wade Miley (60-Day IL, flexor), Ian Gibaut (15-Day IL, shoulder), Rhett Lowder (60-Day IL, forearm), Hunter Greene (15-Day IL, groin), Carson Spiers (60-Day IL, shoulder), Tyler Callihan (60-Day IL, forearm), Brandon Williamson (60-Day IL, elbow), and Julian Aguiar (60-Day IL, elbow).

In summary

The Cincinnati Reds face the Chicago Cubs in a crucial NL Central matchup, with both teams aiming to improve their playoff standings. The Cubs hold a slight edge in the season series and feature a top-tier team batting average, while the Reds' recent strong road performances and key contributors like Spencer Steer and Tyler Stephenson make for

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