On Monday, August 4, 2025, the Cincinnati Reds travel to Wrigley Field to face the Chicago Cubs in a critical National League Central showdown that could influence the division race as the season heads into its final stretch. The Cubs enter this matchup with an approximate 77–63 record and as modest betting favorites, listed around –140 on the money line and –1.5 on the run line, reflecting their strong home presence and recent winning momentum. Meanwhile, the Reds sit near 69–61 and come in as resilient underdogs who have covered six of their last ten games against the Cubs, leaning on quality pitching and speed-driven offense to remain competitive. The probable pitching matchup features left-hander Nick Lodolo for Cincinnati, who has impressed with an 8–6 record, a 3.09 ERA, and 123 strikeouts over 128 innings, against Chicago’s Michael Soroka, who carries a 3–8 record with a 4.87 ERA and has battled inconsistency but retains the capability to navigate lineups when his off-speed pitches work effectively. Offensively, the Reds rely heavily on Elly De La Cruz, whose elite combination of power and speed has produced a .259 batting average, 56 home runs, and 127 stolen bases, making him one of the most electric players in baseball.

He is complemented by a mix of young hitters and situational bats who can exploit defensive lapses and leverage aggressive base running to manufacture runs. Chicago counters with a deep and balanced lineup highlighted by rising star Pete Crow‑Armstrong, whose power-speed combo and defensive excellence energize the team, along with veteran contributors who thrive in Wrigley Field’s hitter-friendly environment. The Cubs’ bullpen, steady in recent weeks, has turned narrow leads into victories, while the Reds’ relief corps has also been reliable, keeping them in games even when the offense has lagged. Betting lines reflect a modest scoring expectation with a total of about 8 runs, as both teams have shown a mix of explosive potential and stretches of offensive quiet, depending on weather conditions and pitching form. For Cincinnati to pull the upset, they must execute their small-ball strategy, pressure Chicago’s defense, and get a quality start from Lodolo that limits early damage; the Cubs, on the other hand, will aim to strike early, support Soroka with run production, and let their bullpen secure the lead. This game likely comes down to situational hitting, defensive sharpness, and late-inning execution, with the Cubs holding the home-field edge but the Reds carrying underdog value and recent ATS success in this divisional rivalry. Fans can expect a tightly contested matchup where each team’s identity—Chicago’s balanced power and home efficiency versus Cincinnati’s speed, pitching, and opportunistic play—will be on full display, making for a compelling battle at Wrigley Field.