The Cincinnati Reds close out their regular season home schedule with a marquee matchup Friday night, hosting the Chicago Cubs at Great American Ball Park on September 18, 2026, with first pitch set for 6:40 PM ET. Chase Burns takes the hill for Cincinnati against Chicago's Clay Holmes in what shapes up as a compelling pitching duel between two arms capable of controlling a game. With the regular season winding down, every result carries weight — and this one is no exception.
Pitching Matchup: Chase Burns vs. Clay Holmes
Burns is the headliner here for the Reds faithful. The right-hander has been one of the most closely watched young arms in the Cincinnati rotation this season, and a late-September start at Great American Ball Park is exactly the kind of moment that defines what a pitcher is made of. The crowd will be behind him from the first pitch.
Holmes takes the ball for the Cubs. Originally built as a sinker-heavy ground-ball specialist, Holmes has experience working out of both the rotation and the bullpen at various points in his career. Whether the Cubs deploy him as a traditional starter or in a more managed role is worth watching as game time approaches.
Keys to Watch for the Reds
- Burns's command: If Burns is hitting his spots and generating early-count outs, this Cincinnati offense gets to operate with a lead. That changes everything about how the Reds play the late innings.
- Plate discipline against Holmes: Holmes lives on inducing weak contact. The Reds need to avoid expanding the zone and let pitches work into hittable counts rather than chasing early.
- Bullpen management: With the regular season in its final stretch, how the Reds handle their late-inning arms — balancing current performance against the bigger picture — is a subplot worth tracking inning by inning.
- Home crowd energy: Great American Ball Park in September can generate real momentum. If the Reds get on the board early, expect the crowd to push this team.
How to Watch and Listen
Friday's game broadcasts on Reds.TV for Cincinnati fans and Marquee Sports Network on the Chicago side. Radio coverage is available on WLW 700 AM locally and 104.3 The Score FM.
Prediction
Burns at home in a late-season game is a compelling spot for the Reds. Cincinnati's lineup needs to do its part against Holmes by staying disciplined and making him work deep into counts. If Burns delivers a quality start and the offense puts together two or three big innings, the Reds take this one. Expect a competitive, lower-scoring game decided in the sixth or seventh inning. Edge: Reds, 4-2.
