Righty Zack Littell is in tough for his Cincinnati Reds debut against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on Tuesday, August 8.
Chicago counters with lefty Shota Imanaga, and my Reds vs. Cubs predictions and top MLB picks expect the North Siders to make life more than a little difficult for Littell tonight.
Reds vs Cubs prediction
My Reds vs Cubs best bet: Zack Littell Under 17.5 outs recorded (+115 at DraftKings)
The Cincinnati Reds bolstered their rotation with the addition of righty Zack Littell ahead of the MLB trade deadline, and it’ll be both a quick turnaround and a tough team debut.
Not only have the Chicago Cubs been excellent against righties with a third-ranked wOBA and ISO, they’re also 35-21 at home while averaging 4.91 runs per game despite sporting a 25th-ranked .279 BABIP.
Additionally, while Littell sports solid surface statistics, he’s also benefited from good fortune. There’s serious statistical correction ahead of his unsustainable .258 BABIP and 85.9% strand rate.
His 3.58 ERA is also well below his 4.62 xERA and 4.31 xFIP, and Littell has surrendered a healthy 42.2% hard-hit rate and 11.1 barrel percentage, too.
I’m anticipating the Cubs having runners on base early and often to drive up Littell’s pitch count en route to an early exit for the righty.
Reds vs Cubs same-game parlay (SGP)
Shota Imanaga to record the win
Pete Crow-Armstrong Over 1.5 hits + runs + RBI
Zack Littell Under 17.5 outs recorded
The Reds haven’t been tough on lefties with a 24th-ranked wOBA, and Shota Imanaga has thrown five frames in 13 of his past 14 games while picking up eight wins.
The lefty has been shaky in his past two starts with 10 earned runs allowed across just eight innings, but Cincy hasn’t faced him this season, and Imanaga’s long-standing body of work is solid.
Chicago star Pete Crow-Armstrong has been nearly automatic against righties with a high-end .398 wOBA and .306 ISO, and he’s also settled into the heart of the order to bolster his counting stats.
Reds vs Cubs odds
Reds vs Cubs live odds
Reds vs Cubs opening odds
- Moneyline: Reds +150 | Cubs -180
- Run line: Reds +1.5 (-135) | Cubs -1.5 (+115)
- Over/Under: Over 8 | Under 8
Reds vs Cubs trend
The Cubs have cashed the first five innings moneyline in 26 of their last 45 games at home (+12.05 units / 15% ROI). Find more MLB betting trends for Reds vs. Cubs.
How to watch Reds vs Cubs and game info
| Location | Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL |
| Date | Tuesday, 8-5-2025 |
| First pitch | 8:05 p.m. ET |
| TV | TBS |
| Reds starting pitcher | Zack Littell (8-8, 3.58 ERA) |
| Cubs starting pitcher | Shota Imanaga (8-4, 3.25 ERA) |
Reds vs Cubs latest injuries
Reds vs Cubs weather
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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