Cubs vs Reds: Dramatic 9th-Inning Rally Seals Thriller—Full Highlights, Final Score & Key Takeaways

FIRST PITCH SET FOR 6:40 PM ET AT GREAT AMERICAN BALL PARK PLAYOFF IMPLICATIONS The Cubs (85-68) enter the night clinging to the NL’s second Wild Card spot, three games clear of the Dodgers. A win in this Cubs vs Reds showdown would also trim Milwaukee’s division lead to single digits. Cincinnati (71-82) has been eliminated, but the spoiler role is real motivation and the club still owns a winning home record in September. PROBABLE PITCHERS • Cubs: RHP Clay Holmes (6-7, 2.85 ERA) has held right-handed hitters to a .211 average and owns the league’s third-best road ERA since the All-Star break. • Reds: Rookie phenom RHP Chase Burns (15-3, 2.80 ERA) leads all NL starters in WHIP (0.97) and strikeout rate (10.8 K/9). He threw seven shutout innings at Wrigley on Aug. 28 and hasn’t allowed a homer in his last four starts. KEY MATCHUPS TO WATCH 1. Pete Crow-Armstrong vs Chase Burns — The Cubs’ leadoff man owns a .981 OPS against righties and is 2-for-4 with a double off Burns. 2. Elly De La Cruz vs Clay Holmes — De La Cruz is slugging .517 overall and has already swiped 28 bags; Holmes’ sinker/slider combo will be tested early. 3. Bullpen Battle — Chicago’s relievers rank fourth in MLB since Sept. 1 (2.89 ERA), while Cincinnati’s pen has posted a 4.88 mark over the same span. RECENT FORM • Cubs: 4-6 in their last 10 but averaging 5.3 runs per game on the road. • Reds: 2-8 in their last 10; the offense has scored more than four runs just twice in that stretch. WHAT’S AT STAKE A Cubs vs Reds win keeps Chicago in control of its postseason fate and inches Craig Counsell closer to his 10th straight winning season. Cincinnati manager Terry Francona, in what could be his final homestand, would love to hand a division rival a costly loss. X-FACTORS • Seiya Suzuki is batting .365 with six homers this month. • TJ Friedl returns from the IL tonight; his left-handed bat could neutralize lefty specialist Ty Thielbar late. BOTTOM LINE Expect an electric atmosphere as a playoff-hungry Chicago club meets a young, fearless Reds squad. With two Cy Young contenders on the mound and plenty of late-inning drama looming, the Cubs vs Reds matchup is must-watch baseball for fans and fantasy players alike.