Chicago Cubs vs Cincinnati Reds Picks and Prediction for Sunday, September 21, 2025
Use Code WWWC On Sunday, the Chicago Cubs (88-66, 2nd NL Central) complete a four-game series on the road against National League Central rival the Cincinnati Reds (78-76, 3rd NL Central). Chicago lost to Cincinnati 7-4 in the second game of their series on Friday. Chicago trails first-place Milwaukee by six games in the NL Central with just eight to play, but the Cubs have qualified for an NL wild card spot and currently hold the first of three. Cincinnati has won three straight following its victory over the Cubs on Friday. The Reds trail the final NL wild card, currently held by the New York Mets, by just 1.5 games with nine games remaining on their regular season schedule. Chicago will play without five pitchers as well as position players Miguel Amaya and Owen Caissie. Cincinnati will play without eight pitchers and left fielder Tyler Callihan. Make sure to read this in-depth Chicago Cubs vs Cincinnati Reds prediction. Baseball excitement starts here! Dive into our MLB picks for the Chicago Cubs at Cincinnati Reds prediction.
This article was written before these two played on Saturday.
Chicago's performing well both at the plate and on the mound
The Chicago Cubs are 8th in both runs scored and slugging percentage, 9th in on-base percentage, and 14th in batting average. Michael Busch and Pete Crow-Armstrong have each hit 29 home runs to lead Chicago, while Seiya Suzuki is third in home runs with 27 and leads the Cubs in RBI with 91. Crow-Armstrong is having a very productive season with 37 doubles (1st), four triples (T-1st), 29 home runs (T-1st), and 90 RBI (2nd). Chicago has hit 254 doubles, 27 triples, and 207 home runs for 488 extra-base hits in 154 games.
Chicago's pitching has been very strong this season as the Cubs are in the top 10 of four statistical categories. Chicago is second in WHIP, 7th in ERA, and 10th in both batting average against and Quality Starts. Matthew Boyd leads Chicago in wins with 13, ERA for starters with 3.20, and strikeouts with 151. Jameson Taillon gets the nod on the mound Sunday for Chicago. This season, the right-hander is 10-6 with a 3.93 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, and 86 strikeouts.
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Cincinnati needs improvement at the plate, but is solid on the mound
The Cincinnati Reds are 13th in runs scored, 16th in on-base percentage, 19th in batting average, and 21st in slugging percentage. Elly De La Cruz has been Cincinnati's most productive hitter with 30 doubles (1st), 7 triples (1st), 20 home runs (T-1st), and 83 RBI (1st). Spencer Steer is tied for first in home runs with 20 and is second in RBI with 72. Cincinnati has hit 240 doubles, 23 triples, and 158 home runs for 421 extra base hits in 154 games.
Cincinnati's pitching has kept the Reds in the playoff hunt. The Reds are fourth in Quality Starts, 8th in batting average against, 9th in WHIP, and 14th in ERA. Brady Singer leads Cincinnati in wins with 14 and strikeouts with 155, while Sunday’s starter, Andrew Abbott, leads in ERA for starters with 2.88. The left-hander is 9-7 with a 1.15 WHIP and 143 strikeouts.
Chicago Cubs vs. Cincinnati Reds Pick
Spread Pick for Chicago Cubs vs. Cincinnati Reds
- Chicago Cubs (4 units)
Chicago is likely not to win the National League Central but has clinched a postseason berth, while Cincinnati is battling for a wild card spot and will have far more pressure on its collective shoulders. Chicago has won seven of its last 10. Cincinnati has performed well this season on the mound, but this matchup favors Chicago, as its starter has been more consistent over the last five appearances compared to Cincinnati’s. Chicago starting pitcher Jameson Taillon has performed well in each of the last five appearances, giving up 21 hits and six runs in 26.0 innings, resulting in Chicago winning four of the five. Cincinnati starter Andrew Abbott has been hit hard in three of his last five appearances. Overall, during the last five outings, the left-hander has given up 33 hits and 17 runs in 26.1 innings, with Cincinnati losing four of the five during that span.
Over/Under Pick for Chicago Cubs vs. Cincinnati Reds
- Under (5 units)
Both starting pitchers have good ERAs and WHIPs. Taillon has a 3.93 ERA and 1.09 WHIP, while Cincy’s Abbott has a 2.88 ERA and 1.15 WHIP. The total has finished under in six of Chicago's last eight games played on the road, in 8 of Cincinnati's last 12 games overall, and in four of the last five games played head-to-head between Chicago and Cincinnati.
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