Chicago Cubs vs. Cincinnati Reds Prediction and Picks - September 19, 2025
Use Code SSWC The Cincinnati Reds will continue their home series against the Chicago Cubs at Great American Ball Park, and we have you ready to go with the Cubs vs Reds prediction.
Opening Pitch is slated for 6:40 PM Eastern, with the Cubs marking their spot in the postseason for the first time in five years. Read on for the Cubs vs Reds prediction and more free MLB picks.
This article was written before the completion of Wednesday's action.
Chicago Solidifies Postseason
Chicago was able to sweep the Pirates, most recently winning in an 8-4 final. The Cubs finished with 10 hits, scoring half of their runs in the first inning. Three batters finished with multiple hits as Ian Happ led the way with two hits, three RBIs, and a home run. Matthew Boyd got the start, and over three innings, he struck out five and allowed four runs.
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LHP Shota Imanaga is scheduled to take the mound for the Cubs. This, Imanaga has made 23 starts, posting a 9-7 record with a 3.29 ERA over 134.1 innings pitched. He’s amassed 110 strikeouts against 23 walks, holding opponents to a .211 batting average. While he's allowed five home runs in three starts, he also retired nine in his last time on the mound.
On the road in 2025:
- ERA: 3.29
- Opponent Batting Average (OBA): .220
- BB/K Ratio: 0.18
Chicago enters this contest averaging 4.54 runs per game, placing them 12th in the league. The Cubs maintain a team batting average of .242, ranking 17th overall. At home, they have shown improved performance, with a batting average of .256. However, their offense has been less effective during daytime games, with a batting average of .227. The Cubs average 1.05 home runs per game. They have been effective with runners in scoring position, contributing to their run production. They'll need to stay disciplined at the plate if they want to take the game here.
Reds Look To Stay .500
Cincinnati bounced back well after being blanked in game two against St. Louis. The Reds tallied six runs on 11 hits, with three players logging multiple hits at the plate. Cincinnati struck out nine times along the way. Spencer Steer led the way with three hits, five RBIs, and a home run. Brady Singer got the start, and over 5.2 innings, he struck out six and allowed one earned run.
LHP Nick Lodolo is scheduled to start for the Cincinnati Reds. This season, Lodolo has made 26 starts, posting an 8-8 record with a 3.30 ERA over 144.1 innings pitched. He has tallied 137 strikeouts against 26 walks while holding opponents to a .229 batting average overall. Lodolo has struggled when it comes to giving up the long ball, as he allowed three home runs in his last time on the mound.
At home in 2025:
- ERA: 4.02
- Opponent Batting Average (OBA): .267
- BB/K Ratio: 0.22
Cincinnati enters this contest averaging 4.31 runs per game, placing them 17th in the league. The Reds maintain a team batting average of .206, ranking 26th overall. At home, their performance slightly improves, with a batting average of .210. However, their offense has been less effective during night games, with a batting average of .200. The Reds average 1.07 home runs per game, indicating moderate power. They have been effective with runners in scoring position, contributing to their run production. Defensively, the team allows 4.38 runs per game, ranking 19th in the league. As the season progresses, Cincinnati will aim to enhance offensive consistency and capitalize on home performance to improve its standings.
Cubs vs. Reds Prediction
Side Prediction for Cubs vs Reds
- Reds ML (4 Units)
The Cubs' offense has been too inconsistent this month to have confidence backing on the road. Lodolo has tossed well against the Cubs in the past, and his high strikeout rate will only be a further headwind for the Chicago offense, as they are striking out at one of the highest rates in baseball. Imanaga has struggled in terms of allowing home runs lately, and he's given up 20 on 23 starts this season. With the Reds launching the long ball this month, look for them to come away on top here.
Cincinnati ML
Total Prediction for Cubs vs Reds
- Under 9.5 (4 Units)
As touched on, Lodolo has historically performed well against the Cubs, and we should expect that trend to continue here, as he is losing his strongest ERA and OBA at home this season. Both of these offenses sit bottom 10 in terms of strikeout rates, and even with the uptick in home runs, Cincinnati still sits in the bottom half of the league in overall batting average. Additionally, Cincinnati is bottom 10 in both home runs and hits for extra bases. This total is simply too high.
Under 9.5
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