Spencer Steer hit two of Cincinnati’s season-high five homers as the Reds beat the Chicago Cubs 7-4 on to keep pace in the National League wild-card race

The Cincinnati Reds beat the Chicago Cubs on Thursday night to stay two games back of the third and final National League Wild Card spot. As it stands on Friday at 11 am, here are the current National League Wild Card standings: Chicago Cubs 88-65 (+9.0)

The Cincinnati Reds own tiebreakers over the New York Mets and Arizona Diamondbacks, assuring a playoff berth if they tie either or both.

Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell had a hilarious admission regarding his team's celebration after clinching a playoff spot.

For six-plus inning, something special was in the works at Great American Ball Park with Cincinnati Reds' starter Hunter Greene on the mound.

Cincinnati Reds pitcher Hunter Greene (21) delivers a pitch in the first inning of a MLB game between the Cincinnati Reds and Chicago Cubs, Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025, at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati. / Frank Bowen IV/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

As Cincinnati Reds manager Terry Francona described it, Ke'Bryan Hayes' back is being uncooperative. Francona said Sept. 18 the Reds would keep daily tabs on Hayes' back discomfort after the club's lineup posted for its series opener against the Chicago Cubs, revealing Hayes would sit for the night in favor of Sal Stewart, who would man third base.