Cincinnati Reds vs. Chicago Cubs – September 27, 2024

The Cincinnati Reds and Chicago Cuts will take the field this afternoon to begin the final series of the year for both clubs. Chicago will look to get at least one win in the series, which would guarantee them a winning season. This afternoon's first pitch is scheduled for 2:20 p.m. ET. The game will be available on Bally Sports Ohio, but it will also be broadcast on MLB Network.

Starting lineup

Start pitcher

Nick Martínez

September was a standout month for Martinez. He has thrown 24.2 innings this month and allowed just two earned runs while striking out 27 batters and walking just four. He has pitched twice against the Cubs this year, but neither was as a starter. However, he did throw five shutout innings against them in his two games.

The differences between right- and left-handed people are not that big. Lefties have an advantage on average and that helps them have a slight advantage in both on base percentage and slugging percentage. The bigger gaps for Martinez are his home and road races. Outside of Cincinnati, his ERA is 2.31 (4.00 at home) and hitters have an OPS of .510 against him (.769 at home).

Split

Use of parking space

Jameson Taillon

After having a tough time for most of August, Jameson Taillon turned things around in September. In his four starts this month, he has allowed three runs in 25.0 innings pitched (1.08 ERA). The only time he faced the Reds was in late July, when they scored six runs in 4.1 innings against him.

The divisions for Taillon are great. Right-handers don't hit very averagely, and they don't hit particularly powerfully when they do get hit. But they really never walk – just nine times in 309 plate appearances, and that leads to them having an incredibly low on-base percentage. Lefties hit for a solid average and show mediocre power when hit. They run more than right-handers, but still not as much.

Split

Use of parking space

When and where

• Playing time: 2:20 p.m. ET
• Where: Wrigley Field
• Regard: Bally Sports Ohio, MLB.tv, MLB Network
• Hear: 700 WLW AM (Cincinnati area)
• Forecast: 71°, cloudy, 5% chance of rain

News and notes

Nick Martinez could set a Reds record today

It would be difficult for Nick Martinez not to break a record today. I won't say what record it is until after he leaves the game because I'm a monster, but to not set a record today would require a performance that the team almost certainly wouldn't allow.

Division standings