Reds vs Cubs Prediction 9/18/26 MLB Picks Today

In this article we will formulate a Reds vs Cubs prediction for this MLB game on Friday, September 18th at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati, Ohio. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup. 

Cincinnati Reds Betting Preview

The Cincinnati Reds are 71-82 this season after they lost three out of four against the Dodgers by scores of 1-4, 0-4, 6-2, and 2-8. In game four, Cincinnati allowed the first seven runs in the game and never got back into it for the loss. The Reds recorded seven hits in the game and they were led by Stewart, who went 2-4 with one home run and one RBI. Singer allowed nine hits and seven earned runs over 3.1 innings for the loss, while Williamson allowed one earned run in relief. Prior to that series, Cincinnati lost two out of three against the Brewers and all three against the Dodgers. 

This season, Cincinnati has a 4.87 ERA with a 1.45 WHIP and a .254 opponent batting average, while they have scored 633 runs with a .230 batting average and a .307 on base percentage. Sal Stewart has led the Reds with 32 home runs and 109 RBIs, while Elly De La Cruz has added 28 home runs and 74 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Cincinnati is Chase Burns, who is 15-3 with a 2.80 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP over 151.1 innings pitched this season. 

Chicago Cubs Betting Preview

The Chicago Cubs are 85-68 this year after they won two out of three against the Braves by scores of 7-3, 3-6, and 8-4. In game three, Chicago led 6-0 in the fifth inning and cruised to the win. The Cubs recorded 12 hits in the game and they were led by Bregman, who went 3-4 with one home run and four RBIs. Imanaga allowed four hits and one earned run over 6.0 innings for the win, while Rolison allowed two earned runs in relief. Prior to that series, Chicago won two out of three against the Pirates, but lost all three against the Brewers before that. 

This season, Chicago has a 4.19 ERA with a 1.27 WHIP and a .245 opponent batting average, while they have scored 817 runs with a .252 batting average and a .340 on base percentage. Pete Crow-Armstrong has led the Cubs with 44 home runs and 105 RBIs, while Dansby Swanson has added 18 home runs and 66 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Chicago is Clay Holmes, who is 6-7 with a 2.85 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP over 91.2 innings pitched this year. 

Why the Cincinnati Reds will win

• The Reds have won each of their last six night games against NL Central opponents following a home loss.
• The Cubs have lost five of their last six games as favorites against NL Central opponents following a home win.
• The Cubs have failed to cover the run line in each of their last six games against NL Central opponents following a home win.
• The Reds have covered the run line in each of their last six night games against the Cubs following a loss.
• The Cubs have trailed after 3 innings in four of their last five night games against opponents that held a losing record.
• The Cubs have lost the first inning in three of their last four games against NL Central opponents.
• The Cubs have trailed after 5 innings in five of their last six games at Great American Ball Park against opponents that held a losing record.

Why the Chicago Cubs will win

• The Reds have lost seven of their last eight night games against teams that held a winning record.
• The Cubs have won each of their last five road games following a home win.
• The Cubs have covered the run line in eight of their last nine road games against NL Central opponents.
• The Reds have failed to cover the run line in five of their last six night games against teams that held a winning record.
• The Cubs have won the first inning in each of their last four games against the Reds.
• The Cubs have led after 5 innings in each of their last six games.
• The Reds have trailed after 3 innings in seven of their last eight games.

Total Runs Facts

• Each of the last four games between the Cubs and Reds have gone OVER the total runs line.
• Each of the Cubs’ last four night games against NL opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
• There has been no run scored during the first inning in each of the Cubs’ last eight games as road favorites against NL opponents.
• There has been at least one run scored in the first inning in nine of the Reds’ last 10 games against NL Central opponents.

Cincinnati Reds Player Prop Facts

• Chase Burns has recorded four or more strikeouts in each of his last 10 appearances.
• Sal Stewart has hit a home run in each of the Reds’ last three games against the Cubs.
• Sal Stewart has recorded at least one hit in each of the Reds’ last 27 games against NL Central opponents that held a winning record.
• Chase Burns has recorded a win in six of his last seven home appearances against NL opponents.

Chicago Cubs Player Prop Facts

• Clay Holmes has recorded five or more strikeouts in four of his last five appearances in night games.
• Alex Bregman has hit at least one home run in four of his last five appearances after not playing the previous day.
• Nico Hoerner has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 11 appearances after not playing the previous day.
• Clay Holmes has recorded a win in three of his last four appearances against NL Central opponents.

Reds vs Cubs Prediction 

Cincinnati comes into this matchup after a very rough stretch against the Dodgers and Brewers, and they have scored two runs or fewer in three of their last four. The Reds are 37-41 at home this year, while the Cubs are 40-35 on the road. Chicago has alternated wins and losses over their last five games and they have scored 7+ in two of their last three. The Cubs are starting Holmes, who has allowed two earned runs or fewer in four of his last five starts, while Burns has allowed two earned runs or fewer in four of his last five. Take the Cubs to win here.