Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL
First pitch: 2:20 p.m. ET
TV: Marquee Sports Network / Reds.TV
Starting Pitchers
Reds: RHP Rhett Lowder (5-8, 5.13 ERA, 1.46–1.47 WHIP, 107.0 IP, 83 SO, 43 BB in 2026). Recent form includes a win vs. Arizona (6 IP, 3 ER) and mixed results overall; road ERA has been elevated (~6.9 range in available splits).
Cubs: LHP David Peterson (7-7, 5.17 ERA, 1.50 WHIP, 118.1 IP, 103 SO, 49 BB). Acquired midseason from the Mets; recent outings include a solid 6 IP, 2 ER, 8 SO effort. Home numbers have been tougher at times. Both starters carry similar overall ERAs near 5.15 with elevated WHIPs.
Venue & Weather Forecast
Wrigley Field (day game). Forecast calls for mostly sunny/pleasant conditions with highs around 79°F (near 26°C), low humidity risk for rain (near 0% POP in primary reports), light winds (roughly 5–11 mph, variable/SE to SSW directions possible). Classic Wrigley afternoon setup with minimal weather interference expected.
Injury Reports
Reds:
Spencer Steer (wrist, 10-day IL; season outlook poor/out for 2026 in some reports).
Michael Toglia (shoulder/labrum, 10-day IL; season-ending surgery).
Hunter Greene (Tommy John, 60-day IL; out for season).
Brandon Williamson (shoulder, 60-day IL; rehab).
Graham Ashcraft (elbow/UCL, 60-day IL; rehab progressing).
Blake Dunn (elbow, 60-day IL).
Brady Singer (ribs; day-to-day/expected back around Aug. 31).
Cubs:
Dansby Swanson (oblique, 10-day IL; multi-week absence).
Matt Shaw (hand, 10-day IL; rehab, possible imminent return).
Hoby Milner (appendicitis/abdomen, 15-day IL; rehab, possible return window around Aug. 28).
Edward Cabrera (finger blister, 15-day IL).
Gavin Hollowell (shoulder, 15-day IL).
Longer-term: Justin Steele, Cade Horton, Shelby Miller, Phil Maton, Ben Brown (neck setback), Hunter Harvey, and others on 60-day IL.
Rosters reflect typical late-season depth with these absences; Cubs maintain stronger overall lineup production despite infield/outfield holes, while Reds rely on core pieces like Elly De La Cruz amid offensive struggles.
Key Player vs. Player / Matchup Notes
Lowder (RHP) vs. Cubs left-heavy or switch-hitting core (e.g., potential edges for hitters like Crow-Armstrong, Happ, Suzuki depending on final lineup). Lowder has limited prior success vs. Cubs in small samples.
Peterson (LHP) vs. Reds right-handed bats; ground-ball lean (higher GB%) could help at Wrigley if wind is not strongly out.
Team offenses: Cubs rank near top in runs (≈5.2/game), OBP, SLG/OPS; Reds near bottom in AVG/OBP with more power reliance (HRs mid-pack). Cubs defense grades higher. Both bullpens and starters have middling-to-high ERAs.
Recent Team Forms
Both clubs are 4-6 in their last 10.
Reds: Just took the finale of a series at San Francisco (10-9 win Aug. 26 after two losses); mixed results on a tough road stretch (wins mixed with shutout losses). Season scoring ≈4.1 RPG.
Cubs: Dropped the last two of a series at Arizona after a big win at Seattle; still strong overall (home 38-27). Season scoring ≈5.2 RPG, better pitching/defense metrics. Cubs sit in wild-card position; Reds are well back in the NL Central.
Series History
Cubs dominate the 2026 season series (6-1 through July meetings). Recent results include Cubs wins of 8-4, 5-3 (July) and a four-game May sweep/near-sweep at Wrigley (scores including 8-3, 7-6, 3-2, 5-4). Reds’ lone win was a 4-0 shutout in July. Historical rivalry is competitive long-term, but Cubs hold the clear 2026 edge.
Betting Trends
Cubs solid as favorites (≈58% win rate in those spots); Reds struggle as underdogs (≈44%). Season series and home advantage favor Chicago. Totals have mixed but Cubs games often higher-scoring.
GAME ODDS
Cincinnati Reds 8
Chicago Cubs – 183
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Thursday, August 27, 2026
