Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati, Ohio.
First pitch scheduled for 6:40 p.m. ET (5:40 p.m. CT).
Broadcast on MARQ and CINR/Reds.TV.
This is the middle game of a three-game series (Cubs lost the opener 6-4 on Friday). The Cubs sit second in the NL Central (11 games behind the Brewers) and are in the thick of the NL wild-card race. The Reds are fifth in the division and eliminated from contention but acting as spoilers.
Starting Pitchers
Matthew Boyd (LHP, Cubs): 8-5, 4.16 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, 89 K in 114.2 IP (roughly 20 starts). Recent form has been uneven (1-4 with a 5.14 ERA in his last seven starts in one report). Career vs. Reds has been tough (around 6+ ERA in limited prior outings; more recent samples mixed). Cubs are 8-5 in his starts this year when favored.
Nick Lodolo (LHP, Reds): 3-5, 5.12 ERA, 1.49 WHIP, 79 K in 96.2 IP (19 starts). Struggling of late (0-3, 6.09 ERA in last seven starts). Career vs. Cubs: roughly 4.5 ERA over ~50 IP in 10 appearances. Reds have struggled in many of his underdog starts.
Both lefties face lineups that have shown some success against same-handed pitching this year (Cubs strong vs. LHP overall).
Venue and Weather
Great American Ball Park is a hitter-friendly park, especially for home runs (Reds rank high in team HRs). Forecast for first pitch around game time: temperatures in the mid-to-upper 80s°F (cooling into the 70s later), partly cloudy with a chance of showers/thunderstorms (rain probability rising later in the evening, potentially 40-70%+ depending on the source; delays possible but not certain). Light winds (around 3-6 mph). High humidity and warm conditions favor hitters/ball carry.
Injury Reports
Cubs: Dansby Swanson (oblique) activated from the 10-day IL on Friday and available. Notable longer-term absences include Justin Steele (elbow, 60-day), Hunter Harvey (triceps), Phil Maton, Tyler Austin (knee), Cade Horton (forearm/elbow), Shelby Miller (elbow, shut down), and others on the IL. Bullpen depth is thinned.
Reds: Spencer Steer (wrist, transferred to 60-day), Michael Toglia (shoulder), Hunter Greene (elbow, long-term), Blake Dunn (elbow), Julian Garcia (elbow, 15-day). Position-player depth affected at corners/outfield.
Projected/Recent Lineups
Cubs (typical recent order featuring strong lefty/righty balance): Pete Crow-Armstrong (CF), Seiya Suzuki, Alex Bregman (3B) or Michael Busch (1B), Nico Hoerner (2B), Ian Happ or others, Carson Kelly (C), Dansby Swanson (SS), etc. Key bats: Crow-Armstrong (.280 AVG, 44 HR), Bregman (hot recently), Suzuki.
Reds: Often features Elly De La Cruz (SS, .287, power/speed surge—13-for-36 with 4 HR in last 10 in one report), Sal Stewart (1B, .271, 32 HR), Tyler Stephenson, Eugenio Suárez, Matt McLain, etc. De La Cruz and Stewart are the primary threats.
Key Player vs. Player Matchups and Trends
Crow-Armstrong and other Cubs lefty swingers have produced against Lodolo in limited samples; overall Cubs OPS vs. LHP is strong.
De La Cruz (switch-hitter, hot) and Stewart vs. Boyd—Reds hitters have had some success in small samples against him historically.
Park factor amplifies power (both teams have 200+ HRs; Cubs 212, Reds 203).
Season series
Cubs lead 7-4 entering the series (or similar; this is game 12 overall). Recent meetings have been high-scoring (Over hit in several consecutive prior games in one report, with elevated run totals).
Recent Team Forms
Cubs: 4-6 in last 10 (.248 AVG, 4.13 ERA). Aiming to snap a 5-game road losing streak. Road record 40-36. Stronger overall offense and better staff ERA (4.21).
Reds: 3-7 in last 10 (.219 AVG, 7.74 ERA, heavily outscored). Home record 38-41. Pitching has been hit hard recently; offense reliant on power from De La Cruz/Stewart.
Betting Trends
Overs have hit frequently in recent Cubs-Reds meetings. Cubs favored and better overall team; Reds competitive at home as underdogs in spots. Boyd’s starts have mixed ATS results; Lodolo’s team often ATS underdog struggles.
Pitcher edge: Slight to moderate to Boyd (better ERA/WHIP, less extreme recent struggles). Lodolo’s elevated ERA and home park vulnerability tilt further.
Team edge: Clear Cubs advantage in record, run differential, and staff quality. Reds’ recent pitching collapse hurts.
Environment: Hitter-friendly park + warm conditions support the elevated 9.5 total; rain risk could truncate games slightly.
Other: Cubs wild-card motivation vs. Reds spoiler role; Cubs’ better vs. LHP profile; Swanson return helps.
GAME ODDS
Chicago Cubs – 134
Cincinnati Reds 9.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, September 18, 2026
