The Chicago Cubs head to Great American Ball Park on Friday, July 10, for a 7:10 PM ET showdown with the Cincinnati Reds. Shota Imanaga gets the ball for Chicago against one of the National League's most electric arms in Hunter Greene. With the second half of the 2026 season taking shape, this is exactly the kind of road test that will define where this Cubs club stands. Every game from here on out carries weight, and a pitching matchup this good deserves your attention.
Starting Pitchers: Imanaga vs. Greene
Shota Imanaga has been one of the Cubs' most reliable starters since arriving in Chicago, and this is a meaningful assignment. The left-hander's ability to command multiple pitch types and work efficiently through lineups is the foundation of what he brings to the rotation. Tonight he'll need to be sharp, because Hunter Greene on the other side of this matchup is no free pass.
Greene is a legitimate frontline starter — a power pitcher with a fastball that routinely sits at the top of the velocity charts and a slider that gives right-handed hitters fits. The Reds built around him for a reason. When Greene is locked in at Great American Ball Park, he can be as tough a draw as any starter in the National League. The Cubs' lineup will need to work counts early and not let him settle into a rhythm.
Keys to Watch for the Cubs
- Patience at the plate against Greene. Greene generates strikeouts in bunches when hitters chase. The Cubs need disciplined at-bats, work deep into counts, and force him to throw strikes in hitter-friendly counts.
- Imanaga's command in the early innings. Great American Ball Park plays differently than Wrigley Field — the dimensions and atmosphere can shift a pitcher's approach. Imanaga's first time through the Reds order will tell you a lot about how his night is going.
- Capitalizing on any Greene slip. Even the best starters have innings where the command wavers. The Cubs need to be ready to do damage the moment Greene loses the zone, because clean innings will be hard to come by otherwise.
- Bullpen management. If this game stays close into the sixth or seventh — which a Imanaga vs. Greene duel very well might — Chicago's bullpen depth and decision-making become critical factors.
Prediction
This is a pitcher's duel waiting to happen. Both Imanaga and Greene have the stuff to keep this game low-scoring deep into the night. Expect a tight, competitive game where the first team to string together a two-out rally grabs the advantage. The Cubs have enough in this lineup to scratch out runs against even premium arms, and Imanaga is capable of matching Greene pitch for pitch. Lean Cubs in a close one, 3-2, but don't blink.
Catch the action on Marquee Sports Network or on the radio at 104.3 The Score. First pitch is 7:10 PM ET from Cincinnati.
