Reds vs Cubs Picks and Prediction – 5/31/2025

The Saturday MLB schedule will get underway with a matinee between the Cincinnati Reds and the Chicago Cubs from Wrigley Field. Be ready for the baseball season with all of our MLB predictions. The Reds (29-29) have split their first 30 road games and are 6.5 games off the pace in the NL Central Division race. On Friday, Tyler Stephenson and Jake Fraley each hit two-run bombs to power Cincinnati to a 6-2 road triumph against Chicago. 

Twenty-seven year old southpaw Nick Lodolo (4-4 3.39 ERA) will make his 12th start of the year for the Reds. Last time out, Lodolo (5 IP) gave up three runs and fanned six batters during an 11-8 home loss versus Chicago. 

The Chicago Cubs have won seven of their previous ten games and hold a 2.5 game lead over St. Louis for the top spot in the NL Central Division. During yesterday’s home loss, Chicago batters were limited to six hits and grounded into three double plays. SP Colin Rea (3-2) was tagged for six runs in five plus innings and took the loss for the Cubs (35-22), who fell to 18-11 at home. 

Chicago manager Craig Counsell will counter with struggling right-hander Ben Brown (3-3 6.39 ERA) on Saturday. Brown is winless in five home starts and has surrendered 20 runs (19 ER) across 24 plus frames. 

Chicago SP Shota Imanaga (hamstring) threw a bullpen session on Tuesday and hopes to rejoin the rotation in the next week or so. Through 58 games, Cincinnati ranks 11th in OPS and 9th in runs scored. For the season, Chicago ranks 3rd in OPS and 1st in runs scored. Take the under. Final Score Prediction, Chicago Cubs win 4-2.