It’s the Chicago Cubs versus the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on September 18, 2026. Here’s how to watch live on TV.
- Time: 6:40 PM ET
- Location: Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati, OH
- TV Channels: Marquee Sports Network, MLB Cincinnati Reds
- Streaming: Reds.TV
- League Package: MLB Extra Innings®
How to Watch Chicago Cubs vs. Cincinnati Reds on September 18, 2026
You can watch the Cincinnati Reds take on the Chicago Cubs live on DIRECTV on Reds.TV, Marquee Sports Network and MLB Cincinnati Reds on September 18, 2026 at 6:40 PM ET.
Chicago Cubs (85-68) at Cincinnati Reds (71-82) — Game Preview
The Chicago Cubs (85-68) travel to Great American Ball Park on September 18, 2026, to face the Cincinnati Reds (71-82). Chicago’s pitching staff carries a 4.19 ERA on the season, a real edge over Cincinnati’s 4.87 mark, and the Cubs also hold an edge at the plate, batting .252 as a team against the Reds’ .230. Pete Crow-Armstrong has been the engine of that Cubs offense all year, hitting .282 with 44 home runs and 105 RBIs from center field, while Cincinnati counters with Elly De La Cruz, who brings a .284 average and a .517 slugging percentage from shortstop.
Sal Stewart has matched Chicago’s power in his own right, driving in 109 runs on 32 home runs from first base for a Reds lineup otherwise short on thump. The Cubs sit 10 games behind the NL Central lead as September winds down, and the Reds trail by 24 games in the same race.
Regional Coverage
Marquee Sports Network, MLB Cincinnati Reds
Streaming
Reds.TV
League Packages
What Time is the Chicago Cubs vs. Cincinnati Reds Game Today?
The Chicago Cubs vs. Cincinnati Reds game starts at 6:40 PM ET.
Where Can I Watch Chicago Cubs vs. Cincinnati Reds?
You can watch Chicago Cubs vs. Cincinnati Reds on Reds.TV, your local regional sports network and MLB Extra Innings®.
Chicago Cubs Channel on DIRECTV
Marquee Sports Network (Channel 664)
Cincinnati Reds Channel on DIRECTV
MLB Cincinnati Reds (Channel 661)
Players to Watch: Chicago Cubs vs. Cincinnati Reds
Chicago Cubs
Pete Crow-Armstrong — CF. Pete Crow-Armstrong patrols center field for Chicago, batting .282 with 44 home runs and 105 RBIs this season. His .581 slugging percentage and .375 on-base percentage put him among the most productive hitters on this slate, and his 44 home runs outpace Sal Stewart’s team-high 32 for Cincinnati.
Seiya Suzuki — RF. Right fielder Seiya Suzuki gives the Cubs a second consistent power source, hitting .266 with 24 home runs and 81 RBIs. His .365 on-base percentage and .469 slugging percentage point to a hitter who combines patience with pop in the middle of Chicago’s lineup.
Nico Hoerner — 2B. At second base, Nico Hoerner brings a different look to the Cubs’ attack, pairing a .263 average with 69 RBIs and 22 stolen bases. His .354 slugging percentage trails Crow-Armstrong’s .581 and Suzuki’s .469, a reminder that his value leans on contact and speed rather than power.
Cincinnati Reds
Elly De La Cruz — SS. Shortstop Elly De La Cruz anchors Cincinnati’s lineup, hitting .284 with a .517 slugging percentage. His .362 on-base percentage adds patience to the power, giving the Reds a threat at the top of the order even with the team sitting at 71-82 this season.
Sal Stewart — 1B. First baseman Sal Stewart supplies the Reds’ clearest power threat, driving in 109 runs on 32 home runs while hitting .271. His 109 RBIs even top Pete Crow-Armstrong’s 105 on the Cubs’ side, a rare category where Cincinnati holds the edge in this matchup.
JJ Bleday — LF. Left fielder JJ Bleday rounds out the Reds’ Players to Watch trio, pairing 22 home runs and 56 RBIs with a .323 on-base percentage. His .213 average reflects a modest batting line, but 69 walks on the season show real patience at the plate to go with the power.
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