To start one of the most important weeks of the 2025 MLB season, there is excitement in Cincinnati for the prospects of the Reds. That has been the case since opening day. The reason is Terry Francona being hired as manager.
Francona is a proven winner with the gravitas that comes with such a reputation. Francona has indeed improved the Reds. However, Cincinnati is on the outside looking in for the final NL wild card spot and running out of time.
Thus, Thursday night’s home game against the Chicago Cubs is a must-win proposition. Barring a massive collapse, the Cubs are playoff-bound.
Certainly, betting interest at Bookmaker is at a peak for the 2025 season. And that is certainly going to be the case for a matchup like this with MLB playoff spots on the line.
Explore the latest MLB betting lines, odds, and predictions for this week.
MLB Betting Lines
Chicago Cubs at Cincinnati Reds Betting at Bookmaker
Great American Ballpark is the venue for the Thursday, September 18, 2025, FOX matchup of the Chicago Cubs and the host Cincinnati Reds. Game time is 7:15 p.m. ET. These clubs are ancient rivals from the National League Central.
The Reds are losing at the worst possible time. Despite their recent dip, they are still very much in the race for a National League wild card spot. But the pressure is on with no margin for error.
Please check back regularly here at Bookmaker for the latest pro and college football odds.
Chicago Cubs
To summarize, the Chicago Cubs are 84-64 and 39-35 on the road. The Cubs are in the first National League wildcard position. The Cubs are 72-72-5 over the total. The Cubs are 55-87-7 under the total. Most recently, the Cubs got the money in three of their most recent seven games. The Cubs went under the total in three of their last five games.
Overall, the Cubs rank 7th for run production, 9th for OPS, and 8th for home runs. Chicago ranks 3rd for stolen bases and 4th for the fewest errors committed. The Cubs are 10th for earned run average, 10th for quality starts, and 12th for bullpen ERA.
Kyle Tucker is the marquee man of the Cubs. So far in 2025, Tucker has produced 89 runs, 25 doubles, 22 home runs, 73 runs batted in, a .270 average, and .863 OPS. However, he is on the 10-day disabled list.
Michael Busch adds 67 runs, 20 doubles, 27 home runs, 78 runs batted in, and a .816 OPS.
Closer Daniel Palencia is 1-6 with a 3.00 earned run average and 1.18 WHIP. Palencia has 23 saves in 27 chances.
Cincinnati Reds
Overall, the Cincinnati Reds are 74-74 and 40-34 at home. The Reds are 1.5 games out of the final National League wild card spot. The Reds are 55-85 under the total. Late on, the Reds won four of their most recent seven games. Cincinnati went over the total in only one of its last eight games.
The Reds rank 14th for ruin production, 19th for OPS, and 23rd for home runs. In turn, Cincinnati ranks 15th for earned run average, 15th for bullpen ERA, and 12th for bullpen ERA. Also, Cincy ranks 17th for stolen bases and 21st for fewest errors committed.
Elly De La Cruz leads the Reds lineup with 97 runs, 29 doubles, 19 home runs, 82 runs batted in, with a .263 average and .884 OPS.
Cubs at Reds Betting Trends
Overall, the Cubs got the money in eight of their last 13 games against the Reds. Only five of the last 18 games between Chicago and Cincinnati went over the total.
Specifically at Wrigley Field, the Reds paid out in 12 of their last 20 games against the Cubs. Chicago and Cincinnati are 6-4-1 over the total at Great American Ball Park.
Cubs at Reds Bookmaker Best Bets
As mentioned earlier, the Reds have provided more betting value with the baseball betting odds. Chicago is consistently overpriced and has no track record of consistently delivering profits.
Main Pick: Chicago Cubs
Over/Under Pick: Under the Total
Player Prop Picks: Michael Busch Over the Hit Total
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