Saturday, September 26, 2026

With both starters carrying question marks despite respectable recent results, expect enough offense on both sides to push this game over the number.

Boston might be stuck in neutral with the playoffs looming, as they have failed to surpass four runs since September 12 and have scored two or fewer in five straight. The Cubs are in a similar boat, scoring two or fewer in their three games against Miami.

Nick Lodolo has a 5.04 ERA in 103.2 innings. The Reds are averaging 5.1 runs allowed per game, which is third worst in the league.

Detroit's Jackson Jobe owns a 5.02 ERA to go along with a .281 BAA in three home starts, and the Pirates have been among the highest-scoring teams in baseball all season long. Pittsburgh's Bubba Chandler has seen his K/BB ratio drop from 7.8 last season to 1.8 this season.