Beta Free full access during beta. All models, tools, and daily picks included.
Game-Day Update Lineups: Projected Odds Posted 5 min read

Cincinnati Reds vs Chicago Cubs Preview

Chicago Cubs host Cincinnati Reds at 7:40 PM ET. Edward Cabrera takes the mound with Cubs on five-game winning streak at Wrigley Field

Cincinnati Reds at Chicago Cubs MLB game preview for May 4, 2026
CIN
Cincinnati Reds
Chase Petty RHP
@
7:40 PM ET
Wrigley Field
CHC
Chicago Cubs
Edward Cabrera RHP
Last updated Monday, May 4, 2026
Final This game has finished. Read the recap for final score, model grades, and box score.

Key Facts

Matchup
Cincinnati Reds at Chicago Cubs
Date
Monday, May 4, 2026
First Pitch
7:40 PM ET
Venue
Wrigley Field
Probable Starters
Chase Petty (RHP) vs Edward Cabrera (RHP)
Lineups
Projected
Odds Snapshot
May 4, 7:11 PM ET
Last Updated
May 4, 7:08 AM ET

Betting Board

Snapshot May 4, 7:11 PM ET
Moneyline
CIN +189
CHC -208
Total
Over 11.5 -110
Under 11.5 -110
Run Line
CIN +1.5 -104
CHC -1.5 -115

Model Angles

NRFI Model
NRFI · 53%
+0.5% edge
Projected Total
5.4
model combined runs
Park Factor
1.05
Neutral · HR 1.09
First Pitch Weather
75°F
13.9 mph SW
The Chicago Cubs welcome the Cincinnati Reds to Wrigley Field for a 7:40 PM ET first pitch, with the home side carrying momentum from a five-game winning streak. Chicago enters at 22-12 while Cincinnati sits at 20-14 following a three-game losing streak. Edward Cabrera gets the ball for the Cubs with a 3.06 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, and 7.39 strikeouts per nine innings. Chase Petty counters for the Reds on the mound. The projected total sits at 5.4 runs with each team projected for 2.7 runs. Weather conditions show 77 degrees with a 12 mph wind blowing from the southwest. Wrigley Field carries a 1.05 runs park factor for this contest.
  • Cubs riding five-game winning streak into home matchup
  • Edward Cabrera posts 3.06 ERA and 1.19 WHIP
  • Low projected total of 5.4 runs at Wrigley Field

Pitching Matchup

CIN Away
Chase Petty
RHP · undefined-undefined · undefined GS
ERA
undefined
WHIP
undefined
K/9
undefined
IP
undefined
Career: 19.50 ERA · 3.67 WHIP · 10.50 K/9
CHC Home
Edward Cabrera
RHP · 3-0 · 6 GS
ERA
3.06
WHIP
1.19
K/9
7.39
IP
35.1
Career: 3.99 ERA · 1.30 WHIP · 9.77 K/9
NRFI: 70.0%
1st Inn ERA: 4.17
  • K projections: Chase Petty at 2.6 (line 3.5)
  • Edward Cabrera projected at 5.4 (line 5.5).
  • Edward Cabrera has a 70.0% career NRFI rate. No first-inning data available for Chase Petty.
  • Both starters throw from the R side, limiting platoon splits for either lineup.

Strikeout Projections

Chase Petty vs CHC
Proj: 2.6Line: 3.5
-0.9
Confidence:
Edward Cabrera vs CIN
Proj: 5.4Line: 5.5
-0.1
Confidence:
View all K projections on SlateIQ

Our strikeout model weighs pitcher K rate, opponent lineup whiff tendency, park factors, and umpire zone size to project total strikeouts per starter.

Chase Petty (Cincinnati Reds) is projected for 2.6 strikeouts against a posted line of 3.5. The projection is close to the line with no actionable edge.
He faces a moderate-K lineup that strikes out at 22.4% with a 28.0% whiff rate.

Edward Cabrera (Chicago Cubs) is projected for 5.4 strikeouts against a posted line of 5.5. The projection is close to the line with no actionable edge.
He faces a high-K lineup that strikes out at 26.7% with a 28.0% whiff rate.

The Cincinnati Reds lineup is more vulnerable to strikeouts in this matchup. Chicago Cubs batters K at 22.4%, Cincinnati Reds batters at 26.7%.

NRFI & First 5 Analysis

NRFI Model
52.9%
probability of NRFI
+0.5%
market edge
Monitor
Market implied: 52.4%Model: 52.9%
First 5 Innings
3.0est. F5 runs
CIN
— ERA
CHC
3.06 ERA
5.9 inn/start
F5 lean: Slight CHC
CIN K Projection
Chase Petty
2.6proj
Line: 3.5
-0.9 NEUTRAL
Confidence
CHC K Projection
Edward Cabrera
5.4proj
Line: 5.5
-0.1 NEUTRAL
Confidence
Explore all model projections

Our NRFI model analyzes both starting pitchers' first-inning profiles, the top-of-order hitters in each lineup, the umpire's historical zone, and environmental factors to produce a probability estimate. For this game, the model assigns a 52.9% probability of no runs in the first inning, compared to the market's implied probability of 52.4%.

  • That creates a slim 0.5% edge on NRFI.
  • The best available line is NRFI -110 / YRFI -110 at FanDuel.
  • Home plate umpire Manny Gonzalez runs a average zone. See the umpire section below for full career data.
  • Our NRFI model sits at 40-39 (50.6%) on official picks this season.

Prop Edges

4 model signals detected
Hits (1+) Lean Hit 0.5
64.6%
Hits (1+) Lean Hit 0.5
64.3%
Home Run Elite 0.5
16.2%
Home Run Very Strong 0.5
13%
See all today's picks and edges

Lineup & Matchup Breakdown

Cincinnati Reds Projected
K%: 26.7
4JJ BledayLLF
8Sal StewartR1B
Whiff rate: 28.0%Team page
Chicago Cubs Projected
K%: 22.4
4Nico HoernerR2B
8Seiya SuzukiRRF
Whiff rate: 28.0%Team page
Batter vs Pitcher matchup tool

Lineups are projected as of this writing.

Cincinnati Reds K vulnerability: 26.7% strikeout rate, 28.0% whiff rate.

Chicago Cubs K vulnerability: 22.4% strikeout rate, 28.0% whiff rate.

Ballpark, Weather & Umpire

Wrigley Field
Run Factor1.05
HR Factor1.09
Full park profile
Home Plate Umpire
Manny Gonzalez
Slightly tight NRFI: 53.3% 90 games
Full umpire profile
Hourly Game Forecast
75°
7 PM
14 mph
SW
75°
8 PM
14 mph
SW
75°
9 PM
14 mph
SW
75°
10 PM
14 mph
SW
  • Wrigley Field carries a 1.05 run factor (neutral).
  • Home run factor: 1.09 — the park elevates HR power.
  • Park notes: Ivy-covered left field wall; Wind factor from Lake Michigan; High wall in left (11.5ft).
  • First pitch forecast: 75F with 14 mph winds from the SW. Humidity: 39%.
  • Wind advisory: 14 mph winds from the SW may impact fly balls.
  • Home plate umpire: Manny Gonzalez.
  • Career NRFI rate: 53.3% across 90 games tracked.
  • Zone tendency: Slightly tight.
  • K factor: 0.950 (below average strikeouts in his games).

Run Projections & Total

  • Our projection model puts the total at 5.4 combined runs, with Cincinnati Reds projected for 2.7 and Chicago Cubs for 2.7.
  • That's 6.1 runs below the posted total of 11.5, suggesting a lean toward the Under.
  • The run projection is essentially a coin flip between these two teams.
The Bottom Line
Edward Cabrera's solid ratios anchor a projected low-scoring affair with the total set at just 5.4 runs in favorable conditions at Wrigley Field tonight.
This preview is generated from thecapper.io projection models and publicly available data. All projections are model estimates, not guarantees. Gamble responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER.