- Matchup: Chicago Cubs vs Cincinnati Reds
- Date: Friday, September 18, 2026
- Venue: Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati, OH
- Broadcast: Reds.TV
- Odds/Point Spread: Chicago (-128) Cincinnati (+106)
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The Chicago Cubs (85-68) are on their way to Great American Ball Park this Friday to face the Cincinnati Reds (71-81). The moneyline for this matchup features the Cubs at -128 and the Reds at +106. The over/under is set at 8 runs. Starting pitchers for this game will be Clay Holmes for the Cubs and Brandon Williamson for the Reds.
The Chicago Cubs boast a slugging percentage of .431, having struck out 1,271 times while drawing 643 walks. They have recorded 772 RBIs along with 1,320 total hits, giving them a season batting average of .252. The Cubs have hit 261 doubles and smashed 211 home runs, scoring a total of 817 runs and holding a team on-base percentage of .340. On average, they are scoring 5.3 runs per game, ranking first in the league.
With a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 2.52, the Cubs’ pitchers have a WHIP of 1.27. They have given up 227 home runs and 674 runs (ranked 14th in the league). Chicago has allowed 1,263 hits (8.3 hits per 9 innings) along with 636 earned runs, leading to a team ERA of 4.19 (17th in the league), while striking out 1,188 batters. Their total walks stand at 471, with a FIP of 4.68 for the year.
Cubs relief pitchers have entered games with runners on base 155 times, appearing in 146 high-leverage situations. They have achieved 52 holds this season (30th in MLB) and possess a 55.0% save rate, having been in 119 save situations. This season, they have recorded 33 saves, failing in 27 out of 60 save attempts. Cubs relievers have inherited 217 runners, with 33.2% eventually scoring. In total, 489 relief pitchers have taken the mound for the Cubs this season.
Chicago has converted 71.8% of batted balls into outs, ranking third in the league with 12,294 defensive innings played. The Cubs have totaled 4,098 putouts, 1,448 assists, and 56 errors, leading to an impressive fielding percentage of .990, placing them first in professional baseball, alongside 116 double plays.
Holmes has pitched 542 innings, achieving 515 strikeouts in his career with an earned run average of 3.64 (219 ER allowed) and a WHIP of 1.295. He has conceded 467 hits (7.8 hits per 9 innings) and issued 235 walks. Holmes holds a career win-loss record of 38-33 and a FIP of 3.58, having faced 2,329 hitters in his MLB tenure.
The Cincinnati Reds have a team slugging percentage of .396, averaging 4.15 runs per game (ranked 26th in the league). They have recorded 211 doubles, 534 walks, and a total of 631 runs this season. Cincinnati has smashed 202 home runs and racked up 603 RBIs but have struck out an alarming 1,450 times (best in baseball) on their 1,161 hits, while posting a .307 OBP and a .230 batting average for the year.
The Reds have a WHIP of 1.446 and a FIP of 4.79 as a collective unit. Their K/BB ratio is at 8.20, with 1,230 strikeouts and 632 walks issued. They are ranked 25th in total hits allowed, giving up 1,313 hits, 201 home runs, and averaging 5.21 runs per 9 innings (28th in the MLB). The team holds a season ERA of 4.85, yielding 725 earned runs across 779 total runs allowed.
The Reds rank 14th in save percentage at 64.5%, employing 541 relief pitchers this season. Their relievers have entered games 180 times in high-leverage situations and 159 times with runners on. The Reds have made 149 save attempts, garnering 83 holds and 22 blown saves, achieving 40 saves from 62 save opportunities. Cincinnati’s relief pitchers have inherited 238 runners, with 27.3% scoring.
The Reds have executed 108 double plays with a fielding percentage of .984 (20th in professional baseball). Their defensive stats include 1,218 assists, 87 errors, and a total of 4,035 putouts throughout the season. In 12,105 innings, the Reds have a defensive efficiency rate of 69.4% (20th in baseball).
Williamson (9-9 career record) has an earned run average of 4.70, allowing 8.3 hits per nine innings. He sports a K/BB ratio of 1.97 and has faced 738 batters in his career. With 90 earned runs allowed, his WHIP stands at 1.335 and his FIP at 4.6. Over his MLB tenure, Williamson has allowed 159 hits and recorded 140 strikeouts across 172 innings.
Who will emerge victorious in tonight’s MLB game against the spread or moneyline?
Prediction: Take Chicago (-128)
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