The Cincinnati Reds head to Chicago's North Side for a Friday afternoon matchup against the Cubs at Wrigley Field, with first pitch scheduled for 2:20 PM ET on August 28, 2026. Rhett Lowder gets the start for Cincinnati against Chicago's David Peterson in what shapes up as an intriguing NL Central clash. For a Reds team grinding through the regular season, a road win at one of baseball's most iconic venues would carry real weight. Catch the game on Reds.TV or listen on WLW 700.
Pitching Matchup: Rhett Lowder vs. David Peterson
Rhett Lowder takes the mound for the Reds in this one. The young right-hander has been part of Cincinnati's rotation picture this season, and every start down the stretch of a regular season schedule matters for a club looking to build momentum. Lowder will need to be sharp in an environment like Wrigley Field, where wind and crowd noise can shift the entire feel of a ballgame in a matter of innings.
On the other side, the Cubs counter with David Peterson. Peterson is a left-handed starter — a southpaw who the Reds' lineup will need to solve early. Wrigley's quirks favor pitchers on certain days and hitters on others, so the conditions at game time will play a factor in how both starters approach the afternoon.
Keys to Watch for the Cincinnati Reds
- Lowder's command early: Wrigley crowds can get loud fast if the opposition gets on base in the first couple of innings. Lowder needs to establish himself quickly and keep the Cubs' lineup off-balance.
- Handling the left-handed starter: Peterson coming from the left side means the Reds' lineup construction and approach at the plate will be something to monitor from the first pitch. How Cincinnati's hitters adjust to his offerings will likely determine the offensive output.
- Bullpen readiness: In a 2:20 PM day game on the road, managing the pitching staff through the middle innings is critical. The Reds' bullpen will need to be ready to bridge any gap if Lowder runs into trouble.
- Taking advantage of Wrigley's quirks: The ivy, the wind, the sightlines — Wrigley Field is unlike any other park in the league. Cincinnati's players who have experience there will need to stay composed and play their game regardless of the environment.
Prediction
This is a winnable game for Cincinnati if Lowder can give the Reds five or six quality innings. The matchup against Peterson is a real test, but the Reds' offense is capable of doing damage against left-handed pitching if they work counts and stay disciplined. Wrigley is always a tough venue, but road wins in the division are exactly how clubs separate themselves in the standings. Call it a tight, competitive game that comes down to the late innings — with the Reds finding a way to grind out a 4-3 victory and take the opener of this series.
