August 28, 2025

Game Preview

Written by: Ryan Chen

Ryan combines advanced statistics with traditional scouting to identify profitable betting opportunities.

Cubs vs Giants: Betting Preview & Props (Aug 28)

Last updated: August 28, 2025

Game Time: 8/28, 03:45PM

Game Overview

The Chicago Cubs face off against the San Francisco Giants in a matchup that features intriguing pitching battles and lineup analyses. As of now, betting odds are not available for this game, but the matchup offers plenty of angles to explore for bettors focusing on player props and strikeout trends.

Pitching Preview

Pitching Matchup: Shota Imanaga vs Logan Webb

Shota Imanaga (CHC):

Imanaga brings a diverse pitch mix to the mound with a focus on precision and movement. His arsenal includes:

Four-Seam Fastball (50% usage, 90.8 mph)
Splitter (32% usage, 82.8 mph)
Sweeper (15% usage, 80.3 mph)
Curveball (2% usage, 71.6 mph)
Sinker (1% usage, 87.8 mph)
Slider (1% usage, 81.4 mph)

Imanaga's style leans toward a pitch-mix artist, utilizing a variety of speeds and movements to keep hitters off balance. The Giants lineup averages .237 this season with a projected xBA of .217 against Imanaga's arsenal, indicating a favorable matchup for the Cubs' pitcher.

Logan Webb (SF):

Webb counters with a repertoire centered around movement and control:

Sinker (35% usage, 92.6 mph)
Sweeper (26% usage, 84.7 mph)
Changeup (24% usage, 86.6 mph)
Cutter (8% usage, 91.0 mph)
Four-Seam Fastball (7% usage, 92.8 mph)

The Cubs lineup averages .249 this season with a projected xBA of .264 against Webb's arsenal, suggesting potential struggles for the Giants' pitcher against the Cubs' bats.

Lineup Advantage vs Arsenal

Lineup Matchups & Batting Edges

For Cubs vs Logan Webb: The Cubs lineup averages .249 this season but projects to a .264 xBA against Webb's arsenal.

Ian Happ: Season BA .227 → xBA vs arsenal .302 (+75 points), Season K% 22.2% → Arsenal K% 17.1% (-5.1%)
Matt Shaw: Season BA .227 → xBA vs arsenal .179 (-48 points), Season K% 19.4% → Arsenal K% 31.6% (+12.2%)

For Giants vs Shota Imanaga: The Giants lineup averages .238 this season but projects to a .217 xBA against Imanaga's arsenal.

Willy Adames: Season BA .222 → xBA vs arsenal .251 (+29 points), Season K% 26.2% → Arsenal K% 27.6% (+1.4%)
Wilmer Flores: Season BA .245 → xBA vs arsenal .158 (-87 points), Season K% 18.4% → Arsenal K% 26.7% (+8.3%)

Strikeout Trends

Strikeout Risks & Rewards

For each team:

The Cubs' projected K-rate is 19.6% vs Logan Webb — down 1.1% from their 20.7% season average, indicating potential for contact play.
The Giants' projected K-rate is 27.0% vs Shota Imanaga — up 4.9% from their 22.1% season average, suggesting potential value in strikeout props.

Behind the Plate

Behind the Plate: Umpire assignment has not been announced, which makes prop volatility a concern.

What to Bet On

Check ALL individual batters for prop opportunities:

📢 Prop Alert: Ian Happ (.227 → .302, +75 points) meets betting lean criteria!

Check team strikeout rates for pitcher props: ⚡ K Prop Alert: Shota Imanaga strikeout OVER - Giants' K-rate jumps to 27.0% vs this arsenal!

🔑 Key Takeaways

Ian Happ's projected xBA provides a strong player prop opportunity.
Shota Imanaga's strikeout potential is bolstered by the Giants' increased K-rate against his arsenal.
The unknown umpire assignment adds volatility to prop bets.
Overall, Imanaga offers a potential edge for strikeout props, while the Cubs lineup might have an advantage against Webb.

🧠 FAQs

Q: Who is the best betting prop for the Cubs vs Giants game? A: Ian Happ meets our strict betting criteria with a significant boost in projected xBA.

Q: Is the umpire a pitcher-friendly umpire? A: Umpire assignment is TBA, adding uncertainty to the game dynamics.

Q: What time is the Cubs vs Giants game? A: The game is scheduled for 8/28, 03:45PM.

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