Friday’s MLB slate kicks off with a classic matinee in Chicago, Illinois, as the Cubs (76-58) host the Cincinnati Reds (63-71) at Wrigley Field for a 2:20 p.m. ET first pitch to open a three-game series. The Cubs own a 6-1 record against their NL Central rivals this season and, after this weekend, will face the Reds one final time during the regular season in Cincinnati toward the end of September.
The Reds have lost four consecutive series and 13 of their last 20 games as they begin to fall further out of the National League Wild Card race. The Cubs are coming off back-to-back series losses, first to Seattle and then to Arizona, and have lost seven of their last 11 games. However, they enter Friday with the top NL Wild Card spot and are still challenging Milwaukee for first place in the division.
Veteran left-hander David Peterson will make his 27th appearance and 18th start of the year, and after an All-Star season with the New York Mets last year and a tough start to this season with New York before being acquired via trade by the Cubs, he has pitched well with Chicago. Through 10 appearances, including nine starts with the Cubs, Peterson is 4-1 with a 3.93 ERA and has posted a 2.66 ERA so far in August. The Reds will counter with rookie right-hander Rhett Lowder, who is 5-8 with a 5.13 ERA this season across 23 appearances, including 20 starts.
Reds vs. Cubs Odds
The Cubs have had a ton of success against the Reds this season, and Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook lists Chicago as a sizable home favorite for Friday afternoon’s matchup:
- Moneyline: Cubs -185, Reds +175
- Run Line: Cubs -1.5 (+115), Reds +1.5 (-125)
- Total (Runs): Over 8.5 (-120), Under 8.5 (+110)
The final weekend of Hard Rock Bet’s 10¢ Summer Sale has arrived, but there’s still time to take advantage before it ends Aug. 31. Qualifying pregame MLB Moneyline, Run Line, and Total markets feature reduced-vig dime lines, giving players tighter pricing on eligible wagers.
Reds vs. Cubs Predictions
There’s one standalone day baseball game on Friday’s slate, and yep, you guessed it, it’s Reds vs. Cubs at Wrigley. Get your weekend started early with a bang and head over to Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook to check out the Stats Hub for baseball betting insights and trends to help make picks for the game like the one below:
Cubs vs. Reds Best Bet: Cubs Moneyline (-185)
The Cubs have dominated the season series against the Reds so far this year and enter Friday with a much better record and arguably more to play for as they look to stay alive in the NL Central race or at least hold onto the top NL Wild Card spot through the final month of the regular season.
The Cubs haven’t been playing their best baseball lately, but returning home after a six-game West Coast trip could help get them back on track. David Peterson has been pitching fairly well since being acquired by Chicago, and although it’s a bit obscure, the Stats Hub notes that the Cubs have won each of their last seven day games against NL Central opponents with a losing record, like the Reds.
- Cubs vs. Reds Moneyline Pick for Aug. 28: Cubs (-185)
Top 5 Most-Bet Player Props for CIN-CHC
Pete Crow-Armstrong remains a popular selection, owning two of the top three most-bet player props for Friday afternoon’s matinee at Wrigley as he chases the 2026 NL MVP Award:
- Pete Crow-Armstrong – Over 0.5 Home Runs
- Elly De La Cruz – Over 0.5 Hits
- Pete Crow-Armstrong – To Record 1+ Hits
- Seiya Suzuki – Over 0.5 Hits
- Sal Stewart – Over 0.5 Hits
Reds vs. Cubs Game Info
- 📍 Where: Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL
- 📅 Date: Friday, Aug. 28
- ⏰ First Pitch: 2:20 PM ET
- 📺💻 TV/Streaming: ESPN Unlimited, MLB.TV
- ⚾ Probable Pitchers:
- Reds: Rhett Lowder
- Cubs: David Peterson
More Ways to Bet
One swing can cash your ticket, but until then, Florida players can keep things interesting with Real Money Games powered by Past Motor Racing, only on Hard Rock Bet. It’s another way to stay engaged between plate appearances.
Referenced odds are subject to change.
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