Cincinnati Reds Rally to Beat Chicago Cubs 3-2 at Wrigley

The Cincinnati Reds defeated the Chicago Cubs 3-2 at Wrigley Field in a crucial NL Central series opener, tightening the division race. The game featured a strong start by Cubs' new acquisition Michael Soroka, who left early due to right shoulder discomfort, placing pressure on the Cubs' pitching depth. Reds starter Nick Lodolo exited early with a blister on his finger, forcing the Reds to rely heavily on their bullpen, which successfully held the Cubs to two runs over more than seven innings. The Reds capitalized on key small-ball plays and an error by Cubs' Ian Happ, with timely hits by Elly De La Cruz, Matt McLain, and TJ Friedl driving in the winning runs. Both teams are managing bullpen stresses and roster adjustments following the trade deadline and a taxing weekend schedule for the Reds, setting the stage for a pivotal series as Chicago leads the NL Wild Card standings and Cincinnati chases the Padres for playoff positioning. This matchup highlighted the intensity of the division battle, with the Cubs trying to maintain their advantage while the Reds seek to rise in the standings.