Chicago Cubs at Cincinnati Reds Betting Tips
Terry Francona was a brilliant hire by the Cincinnati Reds. Francona is one of the most successful managers of the modern era and has won wherever he has gone. Thus, his hiring gave frustrated Reds fans the gift of hope.
The Reds have been in the National League wild card playoff race all season. But Cincinnati has been wilting under the intense heat of the final playoff push.
On Thursday night, the Reds have a must-win national prime time FOX TV showdown against the Chicago Cubs.
The Cubs are in a solid position for the National League wild card round. However, Chicago has not been as consistent as fans and gamblers had expected.
Despite not living up to expectations, the Cubs have shown methodical improvement this season.
Cubs at Reds Preview
On Thursday, September 18, 2025, the Cincinnati Reds will host the Chicago Cubs at Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati, OH. The game is scheduled to begin at 7:15 p.m. ET with television coverage on FOX.
The probable starting pitcher for Cincinnati is RHP Hunter Greene. Green is 6-4 with a 3.01 earned run average and a 0.99 WHIP. Greene was a 2024 NL All-Star. Greene is 2-1 with a 3.55 ERA and 1.11 WHIP in his last seven starts.
Colin Rea is the probable starter for the Cubs. Rea is 10-6 with a 4.23 ERA and 1.31 WHIP. In his last seven starts, he is 2-1 with a 4.25 ERA and 1.28 WHIP.
Public Betting Factors
- The Cubs have immense popularity as one of the most popular teams on the board.
- With the stretch run of the regular season, there will be plenty of betting interest in this game.
- The Reds have frustrated gamblers lately and have them wondering if Cincinnati is up to the challenge of finishing with a playoff spot.
Cubs at Reds Predictions
Handicapping Factors to Consider
Gamblers will have to assure themselves that the public sector does not make the Cubs overpriced and an overlay with no value.
Sharps believe the Cubs will get a discount price as the home team.
Squares always prefer the home team, but may not want to step into the Cubs, as Cincinnati is not in good form.
In this spot, the Cubs make the most sense with the road team price and taking current form into account.
Cubs at Reds Prime Best Bet: Chicago Cubs
Cubs at Reds Betting Tips
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are 75-75 and 40-34 at home.
The Reds have split their last ten games.
Cincinnati is two games out of the final National League wild card spot, currently held by the New York Mets.
The Reds went over the total in three of their last four games.
The Reds are +243 moneyline units and +277 units at home. Cincinnati is -771 units with the run line. The Reds are 57-85 under the total.
Cincinnati ranks 13th in run production, 18th in OPS, and 22nd in home runs. The Reds rank 15th for earned run average, 11th for WHIP, 21st for fewest errors committed, and 18th for bullpen ERA.
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are 86-64 and 40-35 on the road. The Cubs are 6-4 in their most recent ten games.
Chicago owns the first National League wild card spot, four games ahead of the San Diego Padres.
Only two of their last seven games went over the total.
The Chicago Cubs are +202 units on the moneyline and -983 units on the run line. Chicago is +193 units on the road and 67-71 under the total.
The Cubs have MLB metrics of 7th for run production, 9th for OPS, 8th for home runs, and 3rd for stolen bases. Chicago ranks 8th in earned run average, 2nd in WHIP, 4th in fewest errors committed, and 12th in bullpen ERA.
Cubs at Reds Head to Head and Key Stats
Overall, the Cubs got the money in eight of their last 13 games against the Reds. Only five of the last 18 games between Chicago and Cincinnati went over the total.
Specifically at Wrigley Field, the Reds paid out in 12 of their last 20 games against the Cubs. Chicago and Cincinnati are 6-4-1 over the total at Great American Ball Park.
