Chicago Cubs vs. Cincinnati Reds Prediction and Picks - September 18, 2025
Use Code WWWC Major League Baseball action on Thursday evening, and we have a Chicago Cubs vs Cincinnati Reds Prediction ready to roll. The Cubs are 88-64 on the year, and with their win on Wednesday, they clinched a playoff spot. The Reds still have their playoff hopes alive as they are just 2 games out of a Wildcard slot with a 76-76 mark. Can the Reds keep their playoff hopes alive? Continue reading to see our Cubs vs Reds prediction.
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Cubs In Postseason For First Time Since 2020
The Cubs enter Thursday’s series opener in Cincinnati riding a wave of momentum after sweeping the Pirates, capped by an 8–4 win Wednesday afternoon that clinched their first postseason berth since 2020. They jumped out early with a four-run first inning, sparked by Ian Happ’s two-run homer and Moisés Ballesteros’s solo shot, then broke a 4–4 tie in the sixth with a three-run rally. The bullpen was flawless—six scoreless innings from Porter Hodge, Aaron Civale, Drew Pomeranz, and Taylor Rogers shut the door and showcased the depth Chicago’s pitching staff has developed down the stretch.
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Offensively, the Cubs have been one of the most consistent teams in the National League. They rank eighth in runs per game (4.9) and have slugged .428 as a team, with a balanced lineup that blends speed, power, and situational hitting. Nico Hoerner continues to push for a batting title, hitting .303 with 28 stolen bases, while Seiya Suzuki and Pete Crow-Armstrong have provided timely power and elite outfield defense. Michael Busch has quietly become a clutch bat in the middle of the order, and the Cubs’ ability to manufacture runs in multiple ways makes them a tough out in any ballpark.
Colin Rea is slated to get the start Thursday, bringing a 10–6 record and 4.23 ERA into a hitter-friendly environment. He’s been steady if unspectacular, relying on soft contact and ground balls to navigate lineups. Against a Reds team that’s aggressive early in counts and thrives on fastballs, Rea’s command and sequencing will be critical. Chicago’s bullpen has been leaned on heavily this week, so a quality start would go a long way in preserving arms for the weekend. With the division locked up, the Cubs are now focused on playoff seeding—and keeping their rhythm intact.
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Reds Still Have Playoff Hopes
The Reds snapped a two-game skid with a much-needed 6–2 win over the Cardinals on Wednesday afternoon, keeping their slim playoff hopes alive. Spencer Steer was the star, driving in five runs with a three-run homer in the fourth and a two-run single in the seventh. Brady Singer delivered 5.2 strong innings, allowing just one earned run and striking out six, while the bullpen held firm to close out the win. Cincinnati now sits at 76–76, 12 games behind the Cubs in the NL Central, but still within reach of a Wild Card spot if they can string together wins.
Offensively, the Reds have been streaky but dangerous. They average 4.48 runs per game and slug .391 as a team, with Elly De La Cruz providing electric speed and raw power at the top of the lineup. Austin Hays has quietly posted a .266 average with 18 homers, and Steer’s emergence as a run producer gives Cincinnati a more balanced attack. The Reds are aggressive on the basepaths and rank top-10 in stolen bases, often forcing defensive pressure and creating scoring chances even when the bats go cold.
Hunter Greene takes the mound Thursday, and he’s been lights out at home—posting a 1.69 ERA and a .145 opponent batting average across nine starts at Great American Ball Park. His fastball routinely touches triple digits, and when he’s locating his slider, Greene can dominate even elite lineups. The key will be limiting walks and avoiding deep counts against a Cubs team that grinds at-bats and punishes mistakes. If Greene can set the tone early and keep the ball in the yard, the Reds have a real shot to open the series with a statement win.
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Chicago Cubs vs Cincinnati Reds Pick
Cubs vs Reds Moneyline Pick
- Reds (5 Units)
This sets up as a classic letdown spot for the Cubs, who just clinched their first playoff berth since 2020 with an emotional sweep of the Pirates. After pouring out energy in a three-game road series capped by an 8–4 win this afternoon, Chicago now travels to Cincinnati with little urgency and a taxed bullpen that threw six innings today. Colin Rea gets the start, and while he’s been serviceable, his 4.23 ERA and low strikeout rate make him vulnerable against a Reds lineup that thrives on early-count aggression. With playoff seeding locked in, the Cubs may rotate starters and manage reps, opening the door for a flat performance.
Meanwhile, the Reds are still fighting. Their 6–2 win over the Cardinals this afternoon kept postseason hopes alive, and they’ll send Hunter Greene to the mound Thursday—who’s been dominant at home with a 1.69 ERA and .145 opponent batting average across nine starts. Greene’s velocity and swing-and-miss stuff give Cincinnati a clear edge if he’s locating early. The Reds have covered in four of their last six against Chicago and have the motivational edge, the pitching edge, and the situational edge. With the Cubs likely in cruise control, this is a prime spot for Cincinnati to strike.
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Cubs vs Reds Over/Under Pick
- Under (4 Units)
This profiles as a low-scoring game, with Hunter Greene’s dominant home splits and the Cubs likely easing off the throttle after clinching. Greene has held opponents to a .145 average at Great American Ball Park and consistently limits damage with elite velocity and command. Colin Rea isn’t overpowering, but he’s a contact manager who can navigate lineups when he’s locating. With Chicago potentially rotating starters and Cincinnati’s offense still inconsistent, this sets up as a tempo-controlled matchup where six or fewer runs wouldn’t be surprising.
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