Reds vs Cubs Prediction 20 September 2026
📡 The series in Cincinnati heads into a decisive Game 3 after the teams traded wins. The Reds claimed Friday’s opener 6-4, but the Cubs bounced back on Saturday with a 5-2 victory to maintain their lead in the National League wild card race. Chicago stand at 86-69 and boast a solid 41-36 record on the road, while Cincinnati have already lost significant ground in the hunt for October. In terms of starting pitching, the visitors hold the edge, largely due to Rhett Lowder’s ongoing struggles.
Chicago maintain the upper hand in the head-to-head, with both offenses consistently setting a high tempo.
📊 The Cubs have taken six of their last ten meetings against Cincinnati. Seven of those ten games went over the total, with both teams frequently engaging in high-scoring stretches-final scores included 17-5, 10-8, 8-4, and 7-6. Chicago have also claimed four of the six most recent head-to-head clashes, including Saturday’s 5-2 victory, so the visitors are starting to establish a slight edge in this matchup.
Head-to-head statistics Reds - Cubs
The Reds are increasingly struggling to sustain strong stretches across the full nine innings.
The Reds have gone just 3-7 over their last ten games and hold a 38-42 record at home. Friday’s 6-4 win showed they’re still capable of capitalizing on opponents’ mistakes, but on Saturday their offense was limited to just two runs and two hits against the starter. Elly De La Cruz remains Cincinnati’s main spark plug, yet overall the team averages only about 4.1 runs per game-well behind Chicago in terms of season-long production.
Match Results: Cincinnati Reds
The Cubs bring Swanson back and maintain one of the league’s most productive batting duos.
The Cubs clinched Saturday’s game thanks to a combination of factors: Michael Busch and Dansby Swanson both went deep, Matthew Boyd limited the opposition to just two hits, and the bullpen closed things out. Averaging 5.33 runs per game, Chicago remain one of the most potent lineups in this matchup-even during a recent 5-5 stretch. Swanson’s return from injury has further bolstered their depth as they head into the final week of the regular season.
Match Results: Chicago Cubs
⚾ Starting Pitchers
As of the latest update, MLB has yet to confirm Chicago’s starting pitcher, listing the spot as TBD. However, early reports suggest David Peterson is likely to get the nod. Peterson holds a season ERA of 5.11 with a 1.55 WHIP, but his last two outings have shown improvement: he allowed just one earned run over 4.1 innings in one appearance, and another single run across six innings in the next. In his most recent start, Peterson struck out seven and gave up only three hits.
For the home side, Rhett Lowder is confirmed to take the mound, entering with a 6-11 record, a 5.79 ERA, and a 1.52 WHIP. His last three starts have been rough, yielding 16 earned runs across just 12.1 innings. September has been particularly challenging for Lowder-he surrendered six earned runs on September 4 and seven more on September 9. While his latest outing was an improvement, allowing three runs over five innings, his overall form this month remains a concern.
⭐ Editor’s Prediction
Cincinnati showed on Friday they’re more than capable of punishing the Cubs for a slow start, so there’s no guarantee of an easy road win here. However, Sunday’s pitching matchup appears far more favorable for Chicago. Lowder enters with a 5.79 ERA, having allowed 16 earned runs over his last three outings, while the Cubs’ offense is averaging over five runs per game. Chicago have taken six of the last ten head-to-head meetings, boast a stronger overall record this season, and remain firmly in the hunt for a top wild card spot. Even if Peterson isn’t officially confirmed as the starter, the visitors’ edge comes from their deeper lineup and greater consistency throughout the campaign. Our pick: Chicago Cubs to win
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Betting Tips: Cincinnati Reds - Chicago Cubs
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