Chicago Cubs (31-20, first in the NL Central) vs. Cincinnati Reds (25-27, third in the NL Central) Cincinnati; Saturday, 3:10 p.m. CDT PITCHING PROBABLES: Cubs: Colin Rea (3-0, 2.38 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 32 strikeouts);

Pregame analysis and predictions of the Chicago Cubs vs. Cincinnati Reds MLB game to be played on May 23, 2025 on ESPN.

The Reds are back at home after a 1-2 trip to the Pittsburgh Pirates. Cincinnati has followed up an 11-5 stretch from April 11-28 with a 9-13 spell since. The Reds have logged a strikeout-heavy .664 OPS in the latter stretch.

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Like the rest of the Cincinnati Reds, Hunter Greene’s night looked like it was going great until suddenly it wasn’t on Friday against the Chicago Cubs. And, well, Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong played a large role in Greene’s short night and the Reds’ 13-6 series-opening loss.

The Cincinnati Reds activated right-hander Hunter Greene from the 15-day injured list to start Friday's home game against the Chicago Cubs.

The Cincinnati Reds got a boost ahead of their series against the Chicago Cubs with the return of starter Hunter Greene. But the Reds schedule is about to get difficult. Games against the New York Yankees and Detroit Tigers will test their mettle.