The Cincinnati Reds host the Chicago Cubs on Saturday, July 11, 2026, at Great American Ball Park with first pitch set for 7:10 PM ET. Nick Lodolo starts for Cincinnati against Cubs right-hander Javier Assad in what shapes up as a compelling NL Central matchup. The game airs locally on Reds.TV and WLW 700 AM, with Marquee Sports Network and 104.3 The Score carrying the broadcast for Chicago audiences. With divisional positioning always in play when these two clubs meet, every game between the Reds and Cubs carries weight.

Nick Lodolo Starts for Cincinnati Against Javier Assad

Lodolo gets the ball for the Reds, and his ability to generate swing-and-miss with his fastball-slider combination makes him a genuine threat against any NL Central lineup. The left-hander has the frame and the stuff to carve up a Cubs offense, but he will need to command both sides of the plate and limit his pitch count early to give Cincinnati a quality start.

Assad draws the assignment for Chicago. The right-hander relies on deception and a varied arsenal to keep hitters off-balance. He is the kind of pitcher who can frustrate a lineup that is not disciplined at the plate, which means the Reds will need to work counts and resist expanding the zone early in at-bats.

Cincinnati Starting Lineup for Saturday

• 1. Elly De La Cruz — SS
• 2. Sal Stewart — 3B
• 3. JJ Bleday — LF
• 4. Spencer Steer — RF
• 5. Nathaniel Lowe — 1B
• 6. Eugenio Suárez — DH
• 7. Jose Trevino — C
• 8. Edwin Arroyo — 2B
• 9. TJ Friedl — CF

Keys to Watch at Great American Ball Park

Elly De La Cruz Setting the Tone

De La Cruz leads off and remains the engine that drives this Cincinnati offense. When he reaches base and uses his speed, the Reds become a different team. Assad will have to account for him from the first pitch of the game.

Middle-Order Production from Steer and Lowe

Spencer Steer batting fourth and Nathaniel Lowe hitting fifth gives the Reds legitimate run-producing depth in the heart of the order. If Bleday can get on base ahead of them, Cincinnati has the lineup construction to put up multiple runs in a single inning against Assad.

Eugenio Suárez as the Wild Card

Suárez in the DH spot at six is someone Assad cannot afford to overlook. The veteran has proven throughout his career that he can change a game with one swing, and slotting him in the middle-lower portion of the order keeps the lineup from having a soft spot.

Lodolo Keeping the Cubs Off-Balance

The key for Lodolo is simple: attack early in counts, keep the ball down, and make the Cubs beat him with contact rather than walking baserunners into trouble. If he can pitch deep into the game, the Cincinnati bullpen gets a needed rest.

Prediction

This is a tight matchup between two pitchers who can both control a game when on. The Reds get the edge at home. De La Cruz causes problems early, the middle of the order delivers at least one big hit off Assad, and Lodolo gives Cincinnati six innings of work. Reds win, 4-2, in front of the Great American Ball Park faithful on a Saturday night.