Cubs Visit Reds in NL Central Battle

WinFact
May 23
2 min read

The Chicago Cubs head to Cincinnati to take on the Reds in a key NL Central showdown. With Chicago leading the division and the Reds fighting to stay relevant, this matchup features two quality starting pitchers and contrasting offensive strategies.

Game Info:

Date: Friday, May 23, 2025
Time: 6:40 PM ET
Location: Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati, OH

Team Performance Metrics: The Cubs come into the series with a solid 30–20 record and the second-highest run total in the National League, thanks to a lineup that blends power and speed. They're hitting .261 as a team and rank third in the majors with 63 stolen bases. The Reds, meanwhile, are below .500 at 25–26 and average fewer than 4.3 runs per game. They have struggled to hit for power, ranking near the bottom in slugging.

Recent Trends and Player Performances: Chicago shortstop Dansby Swanson is on fire, reaching base in 21 straight games and hitting .387 over that span. Ian Happ continues to torment the Reds in Cincinnati with a .684 slugging percentage at Great American Ball Park. On the mound, Matthew Boyd has been rock solid, giving up three or fewer earned runs in every start this season.

For the Reds, Hunter Greene returns from injury with a 2.36 ERA and a dominant 0.81 WHIP. Elly De La Cruz leads the offense with a mix of power and speed, while Gavin Lux has been the team's most consistent bat, hitting just under .300.

Analytical Summary: This is a matchup of strengths: the Cubs' dynamic offense versus a Reds pitching staff that ranks top 10 in team ERA. Chicago’s base running pressure could expose a Reds defense that has been average at best. Cincinnati must find a way to generate offense against lefty Matthew Boyd, especially given their poor performance against southpaws this season (6–9 record).

Key Stats to Look Out For:

Cubs have a +83 run differential (top 5 in MLB)
Reds are hitting just .241 as a team
Boyd’s ERA: 2.98 | Greene’s ERA: 2.36
Swanson’s on-base streak: 21 games
Cubs’ stolen base rate: 86.3%

Conclusion: The Cubs enter this series with the edge in almost every statistical category. They have the better offense, more consistent pitching, and a knack for exploiting matchups. Expect a tightly contested game early, but the Cubs’ lineup depth and aggressive play style should wear down the Reds' pitching. Prediction: Cubs take the series opener, powered by Boyd and their surging offense.