The Chicago Cubs are making notable lineup adjustments ahead of their second game against the Cincinnati Reds at Wrigley Field. Seiya Suzuki, a key player, is being rested this evening, while utility man Willi Castro continues his unprecedented streak by starting at a fourth different position in just as many games. This move aims to provide rest for regular starters while keeping the lineup competitive.
Castro, who will man right field tonight, allows Kyle Tucker to take the designated hitter role, and Ian Happ has been moved up to bat second in the order, with Castro hitting fifth. Reese McGuire will catch behind the plate, and Michael Busch will lead off against the right-handed pitcher Zack Littell.
Willi Castro becomes the first Cub since 1904 to start at 4 diff positions in his first 4 games with the team: 2b, 3b, CF and tonight RF.— Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) August 5, 2025
Cincinnati Reds Announce Their Starting Lineup
The Reds have also set their lineup to face the Cubs, preparing to counter with Zack Littell on the mound. Littell, acquired at the trade deadline from the Tampa Bay Rays, offers a mix of innings durability and experience. His recent outings include a five-inning scoreless performance against the Yankees, indicating potential to challenge the Cubs’ hitters.
Starting Pitchers: Cubs’ Shota Imanaga vs. Reds’ Zack Littell
Left-hander Shota Imanaga will start for Chicago. After a poor performance two starts ago, he showed signs of improvement in his last outing against the Brewers, pitching five innings while giving up three earned runs and striking out eight. Notably, William Contreras was the only batter to deliver significant damage with two home runs. The Reds’ offense has struggled against left-handed pitching this season, ranking near the bottom of the league in weighted runs created plus (wRC+), suggesting Imanaga has an opportunity for success.
Opposing him will be right-hander Zack Littell, whose advanced metrics signal inconsistency despite a respectable earned run average (ERA) around 3.58. Littell’s strikeout rate remains low, and he allows a relatively high barrel percentage, but his reliability in pitching deep into games makes him a steady presence for Cincinnati.
Injuries Impacting Both Teams Ahead of the Contest
The Cubs enter the game without several key players, including Miguel Amaya (catcher), starting pitchers Jameson Taillon and Javier Assad, relief pitcher Eli Morgan, and starter Justin Steele. The Reds face an even longer injury list, missing multiple starting pitchers like Carson Spiers, Wade Miley, Rhett Lowder, Julian Aguiar, and Brandon Williamson, as well as reliever Ian Gibaut and starter Hunter Greene. Infielder/outfielder Tyler Callihan is also sidelined.
Weather and Broadcast Information for Tonight’s Game
The matchup between the Cubs (65-47) and Reds (59-54) is scheduled for 7:05 pm CT at Wrigley Field in Chicago. Weather conditions feature a moderate breeze blowing in from center field with occasional gusts, factors that could slightly influence gameplay. Fans can watch the game on Marquee Sports Network and TBS or listen via 670 The Score radio.
The decision to rest Seiya Suzuki and strategically deploy Willi Castro in varying defensive roles reflects the Cubs’ effort to maintain player freshness in a critical stretch of the season. With the Brewers pulling further ahead in the standings, Chicago must manage its roster carefully to remain competitive. Tonight’s matchup offers a key opportunity for Shota Imanaga and the restructured lineup to respond and keep pace in the division race.