Written by: David Mitchell
David has been analyzing MLB matchups and umpire tendencies for professional bettors since 2018.
Cubs vs Giants: Betting Preview & Props (Aug 27)
Last updated: August 27, 2025Game Time: 8/27, 09:45PM
Today's Setup
The Cubs head to San Francisco to take on the Giants in a matchup where Chicago is slightly favored. DraftKings lists the Cubs as a −126 favorite, while the Giants are underdogs at +104, with a significant majority (87%) of the money backing Chicago. This game presents intriguing angles, especially with both teams relying heavily on their starting pitchers to set the tone.Mound Matchup
Pitching Matchup: Colin Rea vs Carson WhisenhuntColin Rea (CHC):
Colin Rea brings a diverse arsenal to the mound: Four-Seam Fastball (43% usage, 93.8 mph), Splitter (12% usage, 87.3 mph), Slider (10% usage, 85.0 mph), Sinker (9% usage, 93.1 mph), Curveball (9% usage, 80.2 mph), Sweeper (9% usage, 82.5 mph), and Cutter (7% usage, 88.0 mph). Rea's style leans towards a pitch-mix artist, utilizing a wide range of pitches to keep hitters off balance. The Giants' lineup has averaged .242 this season and projects to a .236 xBA against Rea's arsenal, suggesting a challenging night for San Francisco hitters.Carson Whisenhunt (SF):
Carson Whisenhunt counters with a more streamlined approach: Sinker (48% usage, 92.5 mph), Changeup (38% usage, 81.1 mph), and Slider (14% usage, 83.3 mph). Whisenhunt's reliance on the sinker-changeup combination makes him a groundball-focused pitcher. The Cubs' lineup has been hitting .257 this season and projects a slight improvement to .261 against Whisenhunt, indicating some potential for offensive success.Lineup Matchups
Lineup Matchups & Batting EdgesFor Cubs vs Carson Whisenhunt: The Cubs' lineup, averaging .257 this season, projects to a .261 against Whisenhunt's pitch mix. Key performers include:
- Seiya Suzuki: Season BA .244 → xBA vs arsenal .291 (+47 points), Season K% 25.7% → Arsenal K% 24.6% (-1.1%)
- Ian Happ: Season BA .227 → xBA vs arsenal .283 (+56 points), Season K% 22.2% → Arsenal K% 16.7% (-5.5%)
For Giants vs Colin Rea: The Giants' lineup averages .242 this season but projects to a slightly lower .236 against Rea's diverse pitch mix. Notable performers include:
- Willy Adames: Season BA .223 → xBA vs arsenal .246 (+23 points), Season K% 26.4% → Arsenal K% 26.0% (-0.4%)
- Dominic Smith: Season BA .295 → xBA vs arsenal .245 (-50 points), Season K% 20.6% → Arsenal K% 24.3% (+3.7%)
Contact vs Strikeout Profile
Strikeout Risks & Rewards- The Cubs' projected K-rate is 17.8% vs Carson Whisenhunt — down 1.5% from their 19.3% season average, indicating a potential for more contact.
- The Giants' projected K-rate is 24.7% vs Colin Rea — up 2.2% from their 22.5% season average, suggesting an increased strikeout risk.
Behind the Plate
Behind the Plate: Umpire assignment has not been announced, which makes prop volatility a concern.What to Bet On
📢 Prop Alert: Ian Happ (.227 → .283, +56 points) meets betting lean criteria!
No significant statistical edges meet our betting threshold for pitcher props in this matchup.
🔑 Key Takeaways
- Ian Happ shows the greatest potential for an offensive boost against Whisenhunt, meeting our betting lean criteria.
- The Giants may struggle against Colin Rea's pitch mix, with a projected increase in strikeout rate.
- Umpire assignment is unknown, adding uncertainty to prop bets.
- Overall, focus on Happ’s hitting prop while approaching other bets with caution due to umpire TBD status.
🧠 FAQs
Q: Who is the best betting prop for the Cubs vs Giants game? A: Ian Happ presents a strong betting opportunity with a significant projected increase in batting average against Whisenhunt.
Q: Is the umpire a pitcher-friendly umpire? A: Umpire assignment has not been announced, leaving tendencies unclear for this matchup.
Q: What time is the Cubs vs Giants game? A: The game is scheduled for 8/27 at 09:45PM.
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