Chicago Cubs vs Cincinnati Reds

This three-game set has produced 40 runs, 52 hits and 14 home runs across two days.

• Game 1 (Friday): Reds 10, Cubs 8 — Cincinnati scored nine unanswered runs to erase an early deficit.
• Game 2 (Saturday): Cubs 17, Reds 5 — Pete Crow-Armstrong launched three home runs and drove in six runs as Chicago evened the series. PCA now owns 36 homers and 32 stolen bags on the season.

The Cubs enter at 77-59, sitting second in the NL Central and holding one of the three National League wild-card positions. Every game in this final month carries weight — a stumble against a last-place division opponent would sting with the wild-card margin tightening as September approaches.

The Reds (64-72) sit fifth in the NL Central, 21 games back of the division lead. Playing for pride and development, Cincinnati has shown it can swing the bat — 15 runs scored through two games of this series — and has a genuine ace on the mound in Chase Burns.

Shota Imanaga (CHC) — 3.78 ERA, 3.83 xERA, 1.12 WHIP, 144 K in 136+ IP. His splitter remains elite (.243 expected wOBA, 41.8% whiff rate), though he has allowed 30 homers and been tagged for six long balls in 17.2 August innings. Historically strong against this Reds lineup: current Cincinnati batters have hit .172 with a 34.3% strikeout rate in 70 PA against him.

Chase Burns (CIN) — 14-3, 2.77 ERA, 3.17 xERA, 164 K in 139.2 IP. His 90.1 mph slider produces a 51.7% whiff rate. A concern: the rain delay extends his warmup period, and the Reds already planned to monitor his pitch count. Burns has a 4.33 ERA in August and was touched for nine hits and five runs in 3.2 innings by San Francisco on Monday.

Both relief corps have been heavily used. Cincinnati used six relievers Friday and six more Saturday. Sam Moll worked both games, Julian Garcia threw 38 pitches, and Tony Santillan needed 32 on Saturday. Chicago's pen covered four innings Saturday with Ryan Zeferjahn, Ryan Rolison and Colin Rea. The rain delay could further complicate warmup routines for already-exhausted bullpens.

Cubs: Dansby Swanson (side, 10-day IL), Justin Steele (elbow, 60-day IL), Ben Brown (neck, 60-day IL)

Reds: Spencer Steer (wrist, 10-day IL), Hunter Greene (elbow, out for 2027 after Tommy John), Blake Dunn (elbow, 60-day IL)

The DraftKings market opened with the over/under at 9 runs. This series has averaged 20 runs per game through two contests. Warm Wrigley air with a southerly breeze projected around 10 mph toward the outfield keeps the scoring environment favourable. On the other side, Imanaga's historical dominance over this Reds lineup and Burns' elite stuff provide the strongest arguments for the under. The rain delay adds uncertainty around how deep each starter will go.

If the rain clears and the game gets underway at 7:45 PM ET, the starters will look to navigate shortened warmups and compromised bullpens. A postponement remains possible if the storms persist. The Cubs travel to face the Milwaukee Brewers on Monday, Aug 31 (7:40 PM CT). The Reds return home to host the San Diego Padres on Monday (7:10 PM ET).