Cubs vs Reds Friday 9/19 Preview: Probable Pitchers & Lineups

The Chicago Cubs are entering a pivotal stretch in their postseason push. Tonight, they face the Cincinnati Reds in a high-stakes matchup.

Cincinnati’s win on Thursday bumped their record to 77-76. For the first time in almost a month, Chicago gets a shot at a team that actually has a winning record.

Only nine games remain in the regular season. The Cubs are inching closer to clinching the top National League wild-card spot, and tonight’s game feels like it could swing things for home-field advantage in the wild-card series.

Cubs Facing Stronger Competition at a Crucial Moment

Since their last game against a team above .500—way back on August 21 versus Milwaukee—the Cubs have gone 15-10. All those games came against teams with losing records, which honestly kept their postseason hopes alive and well.

Now, the challenge ramps up. Cincinnati is still fighting to stay in the playoff picture, so the pressure’s on both sides.

Magic Number Down to Five

The Cubs’ magic number to clinch the top wild-card spot over the Padres is still five. A simple 5-4 record in these last nine games would lock up home-field for the opening playoff round.

If they tie with San Diego, divisional record is the first tiebreaker. Chicago has a slight edge there, but it’s close enough to keep things interesting.

Offensive and Defensive Momentum

Nico Hoerner has been one of the Cubs’ steadiest bats lately. His 12-game hitting streak ended Thursday, but since late August, he’s been scorching hot in the National League.

He’s hitting .363 over that stretch, mixing in extra-base hits and some really sharp baserunning. That spark at the top of the order has made a difference.

Shutting Down Opponents at the Right Time

Chicago’s pitching staff has really stepped up in September. Since September 9, the Cubs are 7-2 and have allowed the fewest runs in the NL during that stretch—just 21 runs in nine games.

This run prevention has given them a real edge in close games and built some honest momentum for October.

Pitching Matchup Preview

Shōta Imanaga gets the start for Chicago tonight. He’s been remarkably steady, giving up exactly three runs in each of his last four outings while keeping his strikeouts high and walks low.

Back on August 5, Imanaga held Cincinnati to just one run over several innings. That’s the kind of performance the Cubs would love to see again.

Nick Lodolo Looking for a Rebound

The Reds send out Nick Lodolo, a lefty with plenty of talent but not a ton of consistency. He’s had some good moments against Chicago this year, but his last start was rough—Oakland got to him early and often.

The Cubs will try to jump on Lodolo before he settles in. If they can, it could set the tone for the whole night.

Keys to the Game

For Chicago, a few things stand out as crucial tonight:

• Strong Start from Imanaga – Shutting down Cincinnati’s power bats early is huge.
• Offensive Pressure – Getting to Lodolo quickly could flip the momentum Chicago’s way.
• Maintaining Pitching Dominance – Keeping up this stingy run prevention matters in a game that already feels like the playoffs.
• Hoerner Setting the Tone – Even without the hitting streak, his energy and speed are still a big part of the lineup.

Where and When to Watch

Fans can catch all the action on Marquee Sports Network locally. MLB Network will handle coverage for viewers outside the market.

First pitch promises a tense and competitive showdown. Both clubs have the playoffs in mind, so expect some real fire tonight.

The Cubs have their playoff position on the line. The competition’s heating up, and honestly, Chicago needs to show they can take down another team above .500.

This series opener against the Reds feels like both a challenge and a chance. It could end up shaping the Cubs’ entire postseason path.

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Here is the source article for this story: Chicago Cubs vs. Cincinnati Reds preview, Friday 9/19, 5:40 CT