Reds and Cubs Battle in Cincinnati Showdown to Decide Series Winner and Shift NL Central Standings
The Cincinnati Reds and Chicago Cubs face off this afternoon at Great American Ball Park in a decisive game to determine the series victor. Both teams are looking to gain a crucial edge in the closely watched National League Central division.
What Happened
The current series between the Chicago Cubs and Cincinnati Reds is deadlocked, with each team securing one win. Today’s game, scheduled for a 1:40 pm ET first pitch at Cincinnati’s Great American Ball Park, will break the tie and decide which team takes home the series victory.
For the Cincinnati Reds, this match presents an opportunity to win a series after losing the initial game, a feat they haven’t accomplished since June 28th, 2023, against Baltimore. Conversely, the Chicago Cubs are aiming to secure their fourth consecutive series win, continuing their strong season performance.
Starting Lineups
A late change in the Cubs’ lineup sees Reese McGuire stepping in as catcher and batting ninth. Full lineups for both teams will be confirmed closer to game time.
Starting Pitchers Deep Dive
Nick Lodolo (Reds): Lodolo has demonstrated a solid start to the 2025 season, boasting a 3.22 ERA over his first ten starts. Most of his outings have been strong, including his recent performance against the Pirates where he allowed only one run and struck out seven batters in 6.0 innings.
An interesting aspect of Lodolo’s season is his performance against left-handed versus right-handed hitters:
- Against Right-Handed Hitters (RHH): They have struggled significantly, batting .203 with a .348 slugging percentage across 203 plate appearances.
- Against Left-Handed Hitters (LHH): While facing fewer lefties (42 plate appearances), those hitters have found more success with a .378 average and .459 slugging percentage, primarily through singles. Teams appear to be strategically limiting left-handed batters against him.
Lodolo’s Pitch Arsenal:
- 4-seam Fastball: 93.6 mph (20% usage)
- 2-seam Fastball: 93.5 mph (31% usage)
- Slider: 81.8 mph (26% usage)
- Changeup: 87.6 mph (22% usage)
Ben Brown (Cubs): Ben Brown’s season has been marked by inconsistency, potentially compounded by some bad luck. Despite a high strikeout rate and good walk control, hitters have a .388 batting average on balls in play (BABIP) against him, contributing to an overall line of .292/.354/.438. His last start against Miami was challenging, as he conceded six runs on seven hits, including two home runs, in just 4.2 innings.
Brown’s splits also show a notable difference:
- Against Right-Handed Hitters (RHH): Batting .272 with a .379 slugging percentage over 113 plate appearances.
- Against Left-Handed Hitters (LHH): Have been more effective, hitting .315 and slugging .506, including more home runs, across 99 plate appearances.
Brown’s Pitch Arsenal:
- 4-seam Fastball: 95.6 mph (58% usage)
- Curveball: 86.6 mph (39% usage)
- Slider: 86.2 mph (1% usage)
- Changeup: 91.0 mph (3% usage)
Key Matchup Details
- Game Time: 1:40 pm ET
- Location: Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati
- Watch: FanDuel Sports Network Ohio, MLB.tv, MLB Network
- Listen: 700 WLW AM (Cincinnati area)
- Weather Forecast: 66°F, cloudy, with a minimal 5% chance of rain.
Team News and Notes
Encarnacion-Strand’s Rehab Progress: Cincinnati’s Christian Encarnacion-Strand is advancing in his recovery from a back injury. After a stint in Arizona with the rookie-level team, he has now moved to Triple-A Louisville to continue his rehabilitation.
Reds’ Rubber Match Record: A noteworthy statistic highlighted by Joel Luckhaupt of FanDuel Sports Network’s Reds television broadcasts: the Reds have struggled in rubber matches (deciding games of a three-game series) this season, holding a 1-6 record. Only the Colorado Rockies have fewer wins in such crucial games during the 2025 season.
NL Central Standings Update (as of May 25, 2025)
| Team | W | L | GB | Playoff Odds | | :——— | :- | :- | :— | :———– | | Chicago | 31 | 21 | 0.0 | 78.2% | | St. Louis | 29 | 23 | 2.0 | 35.7% | | Cincinnati | 26 | 27 | 5.5 | 6.6% | | Milwaukee | 25 | 28 | 6.5 | 9.7% | | Pittsburgh | 19 | 34 | 12.5 | 0.4% | Playoff Odds via Fangraphs
What Happens Next
The outcome of today’s game will directly influence the NL Central standings, with both teams eager to secure a series win. For the Reds, it’s a chance to improve their standing in crucial series deciders. For the Cubs, it’s an opportunity to solidify their position at the top of the division. Baseball fans will be watching closely as this divisional rivalry unfolds.
6. Editor’s Note:
Editor’s Note: This article is based on a report from Redleg Nation, originally titled “Chicago Cubs vs Cincinnati Reds – May 25, 2025,” published on May 25, 2025. It has been rewritten for clarity, accessibility, and SEO optimization, preserving all key facts and quotes.
