MLB matchup analysis
Reds vs Cubs Prediction, Odds and Model Pick
Sunday, August 30, 2026 at Wrigley Field · 7:20 PM ET
LyDia decision: Pass on Reds vs Cubs
The case for Cincinnati Reds
The case for Chicago Cubs
Why it is not official
Why the setup score is what it is
Why the price is what it is
Read the full model output
The combined Lab Rating did not clear the official threshold.
Final result
Reds 7, Cubs 5
How the analysis held up
Cincinnati Reds won, the side LyDia's model favored.
LyDia's two internal reads disagreed pregame by 42.7 points — the team-strength model favored Cincinnati Reds, the run-projection model favored Chicago Cubs. The team-strength model had the winner here.
Chase Burns (Cincinnati Reds), the starter LyDia's pitcher score favored, actually outpitched Shota Imanaga: 5.2 IP, 2 ER (3.18 ERA) against 5.0 IP, 6 ER (10.80 ERA). The edge held up.
The Cincinnati Reds bullpen was flagged as elevated risk pregame (High risk). In relief it actually allowed 2 earned runs over 3.1 innings (5.40 ERA) — the risk read showed up. Note: 1 of the runs charged to the Cincinnati Reds pitching staff overall was unearned — not something the bullpen's stuff should be blamed for.
Cincinnati Reds scored 7, 2.8 more than the 4.2 pregame projection.
Chicago Cubs scored 5, 1.6 fewer than the 6.6 pregame projection.
Game information
| Matchup | Cincinnati Reds at Chicago Cubs |
|---|---|
| Date | Sunday, August 30, 2026 |
| First pitch | 7:20 PM ET |
| Venue | Wrigley Field |
| Starting pitchers | Chase Burns vs Shota Imanaga |
| Weather | Game-time forecast: 74°F, 36% precipitation chance, 11 mph wind from S. |
Starting pitcher matchup
Full Pitcher Matchup Tool →| Metric | Reds | Cubs |
|---|---|---|
| Pitching plan | Traditional starter | Traditional starter |
| Expected innings | 5⅓ | 5⅔ |
| Throws | R | L |
| LyDia pitcher score (higher is better) | 76 | 72 |
| ERA (lower is better) | 2.84 | 3.69 |
| WHIP (lower is better) | 1.16 | 1.12 |
| K/9 (higher is better) | 10.7 | 8.9 |
| K-BB% (higher is better) | 20.7% | 18.7% |
| K% (higher is better) | 29.1% | 24.3% |
| BB% (lower is better) | 8.4% | 5.6% |
| BB/9 (lower is better) | 3.1 | 2.1 |
| HR/9 (lower is better) | 0.9 | 1.8 |
| Ground-ball rate | 40.2% | 39.9% |
| Fly-ball rate | 59.8% | 60.1% |
Pitcher edge: LyDia gives Chase Burns a 4-point edge over Shota Imanaga, driven mainly by HR/9 (0.95 vs 1.82) and K/9 (10.7 vs 8.9).
How to read this: the scorecards above name the starters; every number lives in this table.
Strikeout Projections Full strikeout projections →
Same data source as the Pitcher Matchup Tool, where every starter on the slate is compared side by side.
Recent form
Full Stats page →Neither side is playing well. Reds are 4-6 in their last 10 and averaging 4.4 runs per game over the last 15 days; Cubs are 4-6 in their last 10 and averaging 6.4 runs per game over the last 15 days. On the season Cubs carry the better run differential per game (+0.93 against -0.79).
| Metric | Reds | Cubs |
|---|---|---|
| Last 10 | 4-6 | 4-6 |
| Last 10 by venue (away team on the road, home team at home) | 5-5 on the road | 5-5 at home |
| OPS, last 15 days | 0.698 | 0.871 |
| wOBA, last 15 days (hot/cold read) | 0.308 | 0.375 |
| Runs per game, last 15 days | 4.4 | 6.4 |
| K% last 15 days (lower is better) | 26.3% | 19.6% |
Last 15 days only. Hot and cold streaks for all 30 teams live on the Stats page.
30-day offense
Full offense tool →| Last 30 days | Reds | Cubs |
|---|---|---|
| OPS | 0.703 | 0.812 (+0.045 vs szn) |
| Runs per game | 4.38 (+0.219 vs szn) | 5.75 (+0.458 vs szn) |
| wOBA (model offense input) | 0.309 | 0.353 (+0.015 vs szn) |
| K% (lower is better) | 26.0% (+0.7% vs szn) | 21.2% |
Over the last 30 days the Cubs have been the better offense, 0.353 wOBA to 0.309. They are running hot against their own season line (+0.015 wOBA). Reds are striking out at 26.0% over the window — something the opposing starter can lean on.
Season profile
Full Stats page →| Metric | Reds | Cubs |
|---|---|---|
| Record | 64-72 | 77-59 |
| Run differential / game (team quality) | -0.79 | +0.93 |
| Runs scored / game (offense, season) | 4.16 | 5.29 |
| Runs allowed / game (defense, season, lower better) | 4.95 | 4.36 |
| Season OPS | 0.701 | 0.767 |
| K% season (lower is better) | 25.3% | 21.6% |
| OPS vs opposing hand (season) | 0.732 | 0.752 |
Season-long team quality, not recent form. Run differential and run environment come from the season standings; splits for all 30 teams live on the Stats page, including the run environment table.
The Map
Full interactive map →Every team on today's slate, on any two axes you pick. Reds and Cubs are highlighted.
Bullpen matchup
Full Bullpen Fatigue Index →Risk is what the model actually uses: fatigue blended with how well the pen has pitched. High fatigue with high efficiency is a tired pen that is still getting outs.
| Metric | Reds | Cubs |
|---|---|---|
| Fatigue | 7.0/10, Tired | 5.5/10, Normal |
| Efficiency | 2.0/10, Struggling | 4.4/10, Below average |
| Combined risk | 8.5/10, High risk | 5.8/10, Normal |
| Relief innings, last 7 days | 22.7 | 22.7 |
| Back-to-back arms | 6 | 4 |
| 7-day ERA | 8.34 | 5.16 |
| 7-day WHIP | 1.68 | 1.32 |
Fatigue measures workload. Efficiency measures recent run prevention. Combined risk is what the moneyline and totals systems use.
Run total projection
Full Totals Projections →The model projects 2.4 runs above the market total. A research lean still requires a setup rating of at least 7.0/10. Team totals remain research-only until their graded sample is established.
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