Despite a quality pitching matchup between lefties Shota Imanaga and Nick Lodolo, Chicago and Cincinnati combined to plate 11 runs on Friday.
My Cubs vs. Reds predictions see the offenses continuing to flourish in another high-scoring divisional matchup.
Let’s take a closer look at my MLB picks for Saturday, September 20.
Cubs vs Reds prediction
Cubs vs Reds best bet: Over 9 (-110)
Neither Javier Assad nor Zack Littell entered this game in good form.
Assad has allowed 12 hits and seven earned runs over his last 13.2 innings of work, and his underlying metrics over the past month leave cause for concern.
He has posted a solid 3.68 ERA in that span. However, his FIP of 4.98 indicates he has pitched much worse than the results suggest. His 12.3% soft contact rate spanning the last 30 days is also one of the lower rates among today’s projected starters.
The Cincinnati Reds have scored at least six runs in three of their past five games and have been an above-average offense at home this year, ranking Top-15 in average, OPS, and wOBA. They should cause problems for Assad.
On the flip side, Littell has posted a 5.88 ERA over the last 30 days, and his 5.92 FIP tells us that it is very much deserved. He’s not pitching well.
While the Chicago Cubs aren’t in top form offensively, they have more than enough talent to produce against a struggling pitcher who has averaged 3.4 earned runs the past five games.
Expect the bats to shine in this matchup.
Cubs vs Reds same-game parlay (SGP)
Michael Busch has hit righties very well this season (.267 average, .256 ISO) and, batting atop the order, he’ll have as many chances as anybody to get on base and cash in. It helps that Littell is a splitter-first pitcher and Busch owns a higher average vs. that pitch than any other in Littell’s arsenal.
Seiya Suzuki has driven in six runs through five games in Cincinnati this season and shouldn’t bat much below Busch in the order, giving us the possibility of hitting two birds with one stone.
Cubs vs Reds SGP
- Over 9
- Michael Busch Over 0.5 runs
- Seiya Suzuki Over 0.5 RBI
Cubs vs Reds odds
- Moneyline: Chicago -110 | Cincinnati -110
- Run line: Chicago -1.5 (+150) | Cincinnati +1.5 (-185)
- Over/Under: Over 9 (-105) | Under 9 (-115)
Cubs vs Reds trend
Michael Busch has scored 21 more runs on the road than at home. Find more MLB betting trends for Cubs vs. Reds.
How to watch Cubs vs Reds and game info
| Location | Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati, OH |
| Date | Saturday, September 20, 2025 |
| First pitch | 6:40 p.m. ET |
| TV | MARQ, FDSN-OH |
| Cubs starting pitcher | Javier Assad (3-1, 4.23 ERA) |
| Reds starting pitcher | Zack Littell (9-8, 3.86 ERA) |
Cubs vs Reds latest injuries
Cubs vs Reds weather
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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