Cubs Visit Reds For A Weekend Set
By: Arthur Caron

The Cubs (30–20) roll into Cincinnati holding a three-game lead in the NL Central to take on the Reds (25–26), who sit 5.5 games back. The Cubs are coming off two straight wins over the Miami Marlins, while the Reds return home after dropping two of three to the Pirates in Pittsburgh.

GAME 1:
Time: 5:40 PM CST
Probable Starters:

Cubs: Matthew Boyd (4–2, 2.98 ERA)

Reds: Hunter Greene (4–2, 2.35 ERA)

Players to Watch:

Cubs: Ian Happ, a University of Cincinnati alum, thrives in the Queen City with 31 career homers and a .282 average in 115 games. Returning from the IL, he looks to regain his form.

Reds: Hunter Greene returns from a groin injury sustained May 7. He’s tallied at least 6 strikeouts in 4 of his 5 starts this season, including a 12-K performance in his last full outing.

GAME 2:
Time: 3:10 PM CST
Probable Starters:

Cubs: Colin Rea (3–0, 2.38 ERA)

Reds: Andrew Abbott (3–0, 1.80 ERA)

Players to Watch:

Cubs: Dansby Swanson brings a 7-game hitting streak into the series and is 3 for 5 with a homer off Abbott.

Reds: Elly De La Cruz is an explosive talent. He’s 4 for 10 with a homer vs. Rea. With the Reds close to falling out of contention, De La Cruz must lead the charge.

GAME 3:

Time: 12:40 PM CST
Probable Starters:

Cubs: Ben Brown (3–3, 5.44 ERA)

Reds: Nick Lodolo (4–4, 3.22 ERA)

Players to Watch:

Cubs: Ben Brown is fighting to stay in the rotation, having allowed 11 earned runs over his last 15 innings. With Shota Imanaga’s return looming, this start could be decisive.

Reds: TJ Friedl is hitting .274 and is 2 for 5 off Brown, with both hits being homers. He’s a threat if Brown struggles again with the long ball.

Cubs fans: Who will be this weekend’s X-factor? Will Chicago’s bats thrive in the hitter-friendly Great American Ballpark, or will Cincinnati fight to stay in the NL Central race?