Clay Holmes and Chase Burns set up a pitchers' duel as Cubs visit Reds at Great American Ball Park

It is somewhat difficult to believe that the baseball season is almost at a close.I was considering some of the early or preseason thoughts and where they are now.

I thought the Royals and Mariners would be good teams this season.I didn't expect the Rays to be quite this good.

I did have the Brewers and Cubs being successful, and in this order.I was way off on any awards, but my player props look like they are in great shape.

Now we head into the last few days of baseball.Tonight the Cubs take on the Reds.The Chicago Cubs are 85-68 for the season and currently in control of the first wild-card spot.

The problem for the team is that their record is identical to Philadelphia's, and they are just a game ahead of the San Diego Padres.They could finish anywhere from first to third, and remember that first place hosts a game instead.

The Cubs have one of the best offenses in the history of their organization, and they still can't overcome the Brewers because their pitching is among the worst in baseball.CLICK HERE FOR MORE OUTKICK SPORTS COVERAGEChicago Cubs starting pitcher Clay Holmes delivers a pitch against the St.Louis Cardinals during the first inning at Wrigley Field in Chicago on Aug.

14, 2026.(IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners.

If you sign up or place a wager, FOX News may be compensated.This content was created by a team that works independently from the FOX newsroom.They tried to address the issues with pitching this season, but they seem to be trying to fix a leaking boat with duct tape.

One of the guys who has been helpful is Clay Holmes.For the season, Holmes is 6-7 with a 2.85 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP.

He might be the most reliable starter in the Cubs rotation at the moment, but that doesn't mean he's been flawless.He has made seven starts with the Cubs and has allowed 15 earned runs, but eight of them came in one outing against the Marlins.

He hasn't faced the Reds this season, but ...