The San Diego Padres look to take the rubber game of their series against the Cincinnati Reds tonight at Petco Park.
San Diego fell 4–2 last night on a game-winning two-run homer by Tyler Stephenson in the ninth, spoiling a solid return from Michael King. The right-hander went five innings and allowed just two runs in his first start back from the injured list. Reds starter Zack Littell matched him, giving up two runs over six innings.
With the loss, the Padres are two games back of the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL West. Both teams are playing sub-.500 baseball over their last 10 games. The Reds, meanwhile, remain in striking distance of the third Wild Card spot as the New York Mets continue to falter. They’re just three games out, but line so many teams in the playoff chase, they’re playing mediocre baseball in the final stretch, winning just five of their last ten.
As for tonight’s game, like Tuesday’s contest, it could come down to the bullpens and late-inning swings.
Nick Pivetta gets the ball for the Padres. The 32-year-old is enjoying his best season yet, going 13–5 with a 2.85 ERA. He’s been especially sharp lately, allowing two runs or fewer in each of his last five starts.
Andrew Abbott gets the ball for the Reds. He’s 8–6 with a 2.88 ERA but has been sliding in recent weeks. Over his last seven starts, he’s posted a 0–5 record with a 4.91 ERA, including five runs and nine hits allowed in just 4.2 innings last time out.
It’s a stark contrast to May, when he posted a 0.55 ERA across six starts and limited the Padres to one run over five innings. Since then, Abbott has struggled against stronger lineups.
Predictions
Expect the Padres’ bats to take advantage of Abbott’s struggles, giving just enough run support to the in-form Pivetta.
Prediction: Padres 4, Reds 3
Starting Lineups
Cincinnati Reds
1. TJ Friedl – CF
2. Noelvi Marte – RF
3. Elly De La Cruz – SS
4. Austin Hays – LF
5. Gavin Lux – DH
6. Sal Stewart – 1B
7. Tyler Stephenson – C
8. Ke’Bryan Hayes – 3B
9. Matt McLain – 2B
Starting Pitcher: Andrew Abbott (LHP) — 8–6, 2.88 ERA
San Diego Padres
1. Fernando Tatis Jr. – RF
2. Luis Arraez – 2B
3. Manny Machado – 3B
4. Gavin Sheets – DH
5. Ramón Laureano – LF
6. Jackson Merrill – CF
7. Ryan O’Hearn – 1B
8. Jake Cronenworth – SS
9. Elias Diaz – C
Starting Pitcher: Nick Pivetta (RHP) — 13–5, 2.85 ERA
How to Watch Reds vs. Padres
First pitch for tonight’s game between the Cincinnati Reds and San Diego Padres is set for 8:40 PM Eastern / 5:40 PM Pacific at Petco Park in San Diego.
The game airs live on Padres Television Network and FanDuel Sports Network Ohio.
Cincinnati Reds vs. San Diego Padres
Date: Wednesday, September 10, 2025
First Pitch: 8:40 PM Eastern / 5:40 PM Pacific
Venue: Petco Park, San Diego, CA
TV: Padres Television Network, FanDuel Sports Network Ohio
Streaming: MLB.TV (out-of-market)
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