​Splitting the Difference, Again: This marks the Cubs’ 14th of 30 series games in which they split the first two contests. They are 6-7 in previous third games, including 4-5 on the road. They’re 4-4 overall when they lost the first game and won the second, with a 4-2 mark on the road in those scenarios. (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
Rarely on Sunday: The Cubs are 2-6 on Sundays on the road, their second-worst road mark on any day after a 0-4 record on Mondays. (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
Like Night and Day: The Cubs are 5-10 in day games following night games, but 4-5 in day games on the road after night games. (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
Today in Cubs History: Peanuts Lowrey went 3-for-5 with a three-run homer and seven RBIs as the Cubs routed the Dodgers, managed by Leo Durocher, 13-2 at Wrigley Field. This happened 80 years ago today, Friday, July 12, 1946.
Cubs lineup: Reds lineup: Matthew Boyd delivered an excellent performance in his most recent start, which opened this road trip in Baltimore. He hurled six shutout innings and struck out seven. In three starts since returning from the IL, his numbers are a 1.72 ERA, 1.340 WHIP, and 13 strikeouts over 15.2 innings. Today he has a chance to bookend the trip with another strong performance against the Reds, a team he hasn’t faced this year. Current Reds hitters are batting .189 (10-for-53) against Boyd, with no homers and 20 strikeouts.
Andrew Abbott is enjoying another solid year in the Reds rotation. He last faced the Cubs on May 5 at Wrigley Field, lasting 5.2 shutout innings while allowing four hits and four walks. The Cubs won that game in 10 innings. Present Cubs batters are batting .189 (20-for-106) against Abbott. Dansby Swanson has had success against him in the past, hitting 6-for-17 (.353) with two doubles, two home runs, and four walks.
Here is the weather forecast for the area around Great American Ball Park.
Today’s game is on Marquee Sports Network. Here is the complete MLB.com live streaming page for today: MLB.com Gameday. Baseball-Reference.com game preview.
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The 2026 game discussion procedure has changed, so please take note. You’ll find the game preview, like this one, posted separately on the front page two hours before game time (90 minutes for certain early day games after night games). At the same time, a StoryStream containing the preview will also post on the front page under the title “Cubs vs. (Team) (Day of week/date) game threads.” It will include every post related to that specific game.
The Live! thread (formerly “First Pitch”) will still post at five minutes to game time and will be the only live game discussion thread, also appearing on the front page. After the game, the recap and the Heroes and Goats will be housed there for better SEO. Minimum 500 words.