Chicago Cubs vs Cincinnati Reds Prediction 9/20/2026 Today’s MLB Picks

Nikos Lagouretos

51 minutes ago

Aug 22, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; Chicago Cubs pitcher David Peterson (19) throws against the Seattle Mariners during the sixth inning at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images

MATCHUP	Chicago Cubs	Cincinnati Reds
Team Records	86-69	72-83
Spread	-1.5 104	+1.5 -125
Moneyline	-155	+128
Total	Over 10 (-104)	Under 10 (-116)
Where	Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati, Ohio
When	Sunday, September 20, 2026
Time	01:40 PM EDT
TV	MLB.TV

In this article, we will formulate a Cubs vs Reds Prediction for this MLB matchup on Sunday, September 20th in the third game of this series. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup.

Cincinnati Reds Preview

The Cincinnati Reds have a 72-83 record this season and are sitting in the 5th place of the NL Central. They have a 38-42 home record and are coming off a 2-5 home loss against the Cubs. They will face the Braves and the Blue Jays next.

The Cincinnati Reds have a .229 batting average this season, .307 OBP and .394 Slugging percentage. Cincinnati’s pitching staff has a 4.87 ERA and 1.45 WHIP. Elly De La Cruz is the team’s best hitter with a .286 batting average. Sal Stewart leads the team in RBI with 110, adding a team-high 32 home runs.

Rhett Lowder (R) is the projected starting pitcher for the Reds, and he has a 6-11 record, 5.79 ERA and 1.52 WHIP.

Chicago Cubs Preview

The Chicago Cubs have a 86-69 record this season and are sitting in the 2nd place of the NL Central. They have a 41-36 away record and are coming off a 5-2 road win against the Reds. They will face the Marlins and the Red Sox next.

The Chicago Cubs have a .252 batting average this season, .340 OBP and .431 Slugging percentage. Chicago’s pitching staff has a 4.18 ERA and 1.27 WHIP. Pete Crow-Armstrong is the team’s best hitter with a .277 batting average, leading the team in RBI with 105 and adding a team-high 44 home runs.

David Peterson (L) is the projected starting pitcher for the Cubs, and he has a 8-8 record, 5.11 ERA and 1.55 WHIP.

The Chicago Cubs @ Cincinnati Reds Betting Trends: September 20, 2026

Probable Starting Pitcher: Rhett Lowder Record this season: 6-11 ERA: 5.79
Home Record: 2-3
Last 5 against Cubs: 1-1

Why the Cincinnati Reds will win

The Reds have won five of their last six games as home underdogs following a loss.
The Cubs have lost five of their last six games as favorites against NL Central opponents following a win.
The Cubs have failed to cover the run line in each of their last seven day games following a win.
The Reds have covered the run line in 16 of their last 18 games as home underdogs against NL Central opponents following a home loss.
The Reds have led after 3 innings in each of their last four day games against the Cubs at Great American Ball Park.
The Reds have led after 5 innings in three of their last four day games against the Cubs at Great American Ball Park.

Probable Starting Pitcher: David Peterson Record this season: 8-8 ERA: 5.11
Road Record: 5-3
Last 5 against Reds: 1-1

Why the Chicago Cubs will win

The Cubs have won eight of their last 10 day games against NL Central opponents that held a losing record.
The Reds have lost nine of their last 12 games.
The Cubs have covered the run line in each of their last six games against NL Central opponents following a road win.
The Reds have trailed after 3 innings in six of their last seven day games against NL Central opponents that held a winning record.
The Cubs have led after 5 innings in seven of their last eight games.
The Reds have lost the first inning in four of their last five day games at Great American Ball Park.

Total Runs Facts

Five of the last six games between the Cubs and Reds have gone OVER the total runs line.
Four of the Cubs’ last five games have gone OVER the total runs line.
There has been no run scored during the first inning in nine of the Cubs’ last 10 games as road favorites against NL opponents.
There has been at least one run scored in the first inning in nine of the Reds’ last 10 day games at Great American Ball Park.

Cincinnati Reds Player Prop Facts

Sal Stewart has hit a home run in three of the Reds’ last five games against the Cubs.
Rhett Lowder has recorded four or more strikeouts in 12 of his last 15 appearances with the Reds as underdogs.
Sal Stewart has recorded at least one hit in each of the Reds’ last nine day games against NL Central opponents that held a winning record.

Chicago Cubs Player Prop Facts

Seiya Suzuki has hit a home run in four of the Cubs’ last seven day games against NL Central opponents that held a losing record.
Dansby Swanson has recorded at least one hit in each of his last eight appearances with the Cubs as favorites against NL Central opponents.
David Peterson has recorded six or more strikeouts in four of his last five appearances with the Cubs as favorites.
David Peterson has recorded a win in each of his last four appearances with his team as a road favorite.
Pete Crow-Armstrong ranks 2nd in the league in Home Runs (44) this season.

Matchup/League Facts

The Reds rank 30th in the league for hits this season (1180).
The Reds rank 30th in the league for batting average this season (.229).
The Cubs rank 1st in the league for runs scored this season (826).
The Cubs rank 1st in the league for home runs this season (214).

Cubs vs Reds Prediction

Both teams are tied 4-4 in their last 8 meetings and the Cubs are 3-1 in their last 4 visits in Cincinnati.

In this Cubs vs Reds Prediction, the Cubs are coming as -150 road favorites. I like the Cubs to keep rolling in this one with David Peterson on the mound, who has been in very good form, having given up just one run in each of his last two starts. On the flip side, Rhett Lowder has been terrible lately, having given up 16 runs across his last three starts and the Cubs have both a better bullpen ERA and offense in their last 10 games. Take the Cubs to win this one on the road.