The Cubs entered the series on a hot streak, winning four straight games and seven of their last eight, including a sweep of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Key performances have come from outfielder Ian Happ, who notched his 23rd home run and delivered three RBIs in the recent finale against Pittsburgh, and infielder Nico Hoerner, riding a 12-game hitting streak and hitting .303 for the season. The Cubs have also performed well on the road, posting a 41-36 record away from Wrigley Field.
The Reds, meanwhile, have been inconsistent, dropping four of their last six but recently taking two of three from the St. Louis Cardinals. In their last outing, first baseman Spencer Steer drove in five runs, including a home run, as Cincinnati kept their postseason hopes alive.
Thursday’s matchup featured a starting pitching duel between Colin Rea (10-6, 4.23 ERA) for Chicago and Hunter Greene (6-4, 3.01 ERA) for Cincinnati. Rea has delivered a solid campaign, with the Cubs winning 16 of his 25 starts, but he has struggled against the Reds this year, going 0-2 with a 10.13 ERA. Greene, dominant at home with a 1.69 ERA in Cincinnati, has helped the Reds to a 10-7 record in his starts.
Oddsmakers gave the Reds a slight edge at home, listing them as -140 favorites on the moneyline, while the Cubs were underdogs at +115. The run total was set at 8.5, reflecting both teams’ recent offensive surges but also acknowledging Greene’s ability to limit runs at home.
From a betting perspective, the Reds’ strong performance at home and Greene’s consistency made them the preferred pick, especially with Rea’s recent struggles against Cincinnati. However, the Cubs’ momentum and their ability to win on the road presented value for those favoring underdogs. Sports Illustrated highlighted Hoerner as a prop bet target, noting his streak of exceeding 1.5 hits, runs, and RBIs in 10 straight games.
Historically, the season series has been tight, with the Cubs holding a narrow 5-4 advantage prior to this set. The outcome of this series could play a critical role in shaping the National League wild card landscape, especially for a Reds squad seeking to capitalize on home field and keep their postseason dreams alive.
For fans seeking live coverage, ESPN provided real-time updates, highlights, and in-depth statistics throughout the contest.