Reds vs Cubs Prediction 9/20/26 MLB Picks Today

In this article we will formulate a Reds vs Cubs prediction for this MLB game on Sunday, September 20th 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 72-83 this season after they split the first two games by scores of 6-4 and 2-5. In game two, Cincinnati tied the game at two in the fifth, but couldn’t find anymore offense for the loss. The Reds recorded four hits in the game and they were led by Hayes, who went 1-3 with one RBI. Lodolo allowed six hits and three earned runs over 7.0 innings for the loss, while Johnson allowed one earned run in relief. Prior to this series, Cincinnati lost three out of four against the Dodgers and two out of three against the Brewers. 

This season, Cincinnati has a 4.87 ERA with a 1.45 WHIP and a .254 opponent batting average, while they have scored 641 runs with a .229 batting average and a .307 on base percentage. Sal Stewart has led the Reds with 32 home runs and 110 RBIs, while Elly De La Cruz has added 28 home runs and 74 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Cincinnati is Rhett Lowder, who is 6-11 with a 5.79 ERA and a 1.52 WHIP over 124.1 innings pitched this season. 

Chicago Cubs Betting Preview

The Chicago Cubs are 86-69 this year after they won game two by a score of 5-2 on Saturday afternoon. Chicago scored one run in the sixth to take the lead and added one in the eighth and ninth to seal the win. The Cubs recorded eight hits and they committed one error in the game, while they were led by Busch, who went 2-3 with one home run and one RBI. Boyd allowed two hits and one earned run over 5.0 innings for the win, while Rolison picked up the save. Prior to this series, Chicago won two out of three against the Braves and two out of three against the Pirates. 

This season, Chicago has a 4.18 ERA with a 1.27 WHIP and a .244 opponent batting average, while they have scored 826 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 19 home runs and 67 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Chicago is David Peterson, who is 8-8 with a 5.11 ERA and a 1.55 WHIP over 137.1 innings pitched this year. 

Why the Cincinnati Reds will win

• The Reds have won each of their last four home games against NL Central opponents following a loss.
• The Cubs have lost six of their last seven games against NL Central opponents following a win.
• The Cubs have failed to cover the run line in each of their last seven day games following a win.
• The Reds have covered the run line in seven of their last eight day games against NL Central opponents.
• The Reds have led after 5 innings in three of their last four day games against the Cubs at Great American Ball Park.
• The Reds have led after 3 innings in each of their last four day games against the Cubs at Great American Ball Park.

Why the Chicago Cubs will win

• The Cubs have won eight of their last 10 day games against NL Central opponents that held a losing record.
• The Reds have lost nine of their last 12 games.
• The Cubs have covered the run line in each of their last six games against NL Central opponents following a road win.
• The Reds have trailed after 3 innings in six of their last seven day games against NL Central opponents that held a winning record.
• The Reds have lost the first inning in four of their last five day games at Great American Ball Park.
• The Cubs have led after 5 innings in seven of their last eight games.

Total Runs Facts

• Five of the last six games between the Cubs and Reds have gone OVER the total runs line.
• Four of the Cubs’ last five games have gone OVER the total runs line.
• There has been at least one run scored in the first inning in nine of the Reds’ last 10 day games at Great American Ball Park.
• There has been at least one run scored in the first inning in seven of the Cubs’ last eight day games against NL Central opponents.

Cincinnati Reds Player Prop Facts

• Sal Stewart has recorded at least one hit in each of the Reds’ last nine day games against NL Central opponents that held a winning record.
• Rhett Lowder has recorded four or more strikeouts in four of his last five appearances against NL Central opponents.
• Sal Stewart has hit a home run in three of the Reds’ last five games against the Cubs.

Chicago Cubs Player Prop Facts

• David Peterson has recorded a win in three of his last four road appearances against NL opponents.
• Nico Hoerner has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 10 road appearances against opponents that held a losing record.
• David Peterson has recorded six or more strikeouts in each of his last three appearances against opponents that held a losing record.
• Seiya Suzuki has hit a home run in four of the Cubs’ last seven day games against NL Central opponents that held a losing record.

Reds vs Cubs Prediction 

Chicago comes into this matchup after alternating wins and losses over their last five games and they have scored 5+ runs in all three of those wins. The Cubs are 41-36 on the road this year, while the Reds are 38-42 at home. Cincinnati has also alternated wins and losses over their last five and they have scored six runs in two of their last four. The Reds are starting Lowder, who has allowed 3+ earned runs in five straight starts, while Peterson has allowed two earned runs or fewer in four of his last five outings. Take the Cubs -1 here.