The Cincinnati Reds close out their weekend series against the Chicago Cubs on Sunday, July 12, 2026, at Great American Ball Park with first pitch set for 1:40 PM ET. Andrew Abbott gets the ball for Cincinnati, squaring off against left-hander Matthew Boyd in a divisional matchup that carries genuine NL Central implications. This is the kind of afternoon game where the sun beats down on the Ohio River and the crowd at GABP can be a factor — and the Reds need to make that home-field energy count.
Probable Pitchers: Andrew Abbott vs. Matthew Boyd
Abbott has been one of the more intriguing arms in the Reds rotation. A left-hander with a wipeout slider that can buckle right-handed hitters, Abbott's ability to miss bats in the strike zone is his calling card. His command and consistency are what define his outings — when he's locating his breaking ball early in counts, he's a different pitcher than when he falls behind and has to throw fastballs into hitter-friendly counts.
Boyd takes the hill for Chicago. A crafty veteran southpaw, Boyd works off his changeup and cutters to keep lineups off-balance. He's not a power pitcher, but he doesn't need to be — he works sequences and changes eye levels effectively. The Reds will need to be disciplined at the plate and avoid chasing soft stuff out of the zone if they want to get into the Cubs bullpen early.
Keys to the Game for the Reds
- Abbott's command: If Abbott is hitting his spots with the slider and keeping the Cubs' lineup honest with his fastball, the Reds are in good shape. A sharp Abbott is tough to square up.
- Patience against Boyd: Boyd lives off soft contact and weak swings at breaking pitches. The Reds need to work counts, get into hitter's counts, and make him throw fastballs. This lineup has the ability to do that when it's locked in.
- Bullpen management: Sunday afternoon games can be grinding affairs. If Abbott reaches six or seven innings in good shape, David Bell will want to preserve his best arms for the final outs. Getting through this game cleanly could matter later in the week.
- Home crowd: A Sunday afternoon crowd at Great American Ball Park is one of the better atmospheres in the National League. The Reds have to feed off that energy and protect their home turf against a Cubs club that travels well.
Series Context
Cubs-Reds matchups always carry an edge. Chicago is a consistent contender in the NL Central, and every game between these two clubs has divisional weight. The Reds cannot afford to let series like this one slip away at home. A win on Sunday would be a statement.
Prediction
This one leans Reds. Abbott at home in an afternoon start is a favorable setup, and if the Cincinnati offense shows patience against Boyd early, there are runs to be had in the middle innings. The bullpen will need to hold serve late, but Abbott should give this team a chance to win. Call it Cincinnati 4, Chicago 2. Get to Great American Ball Park — or tune into Reds.TV or WLW 700 — and watch Abbott work.
