Billy Hamilton is back in the lineup for the Reds tonight, which means Jake Arrieta might have to face a little extra pressure on the basepaths – meaning we get to talk more about pickoff throws tonight!
… unless Arrieta doesn’t allow any baserunners, which is totally something he’s capable of pulling off, as he showed last year when he almost no-hit these Reds.
Not back in the lineup: Mike Olt or Tommy La Stella. Again, the Kris Bryant chatter will tick up. The Cubs’ lineup is, for the most part, a repeat of last night, except Miguel Montero is catching, and is a spot higher in the lineup than David Ross was. (UPDATE: As soon as I published, La Stella went to the DL. Zac Rosscup comes up.)
For two straight games, the Cubs have wowed and dazzled with late, dramatic wins. How can they top it tonight? Well, you know what? I’d be just fine with a boring, ho-hum 4-1 Cubs win.
Game Info
Cincinnati Reds (4-3) at Chicago Cubs (4-2), 7:05 CT on CSN, and MLB.tv.
Game Thread and Series Preview
Your game thread is down there in the comments, so have fun.
The Series Preview lives here.
Starting Pitchers
Anthony DeSclafani (3.00 ERA, 4.14 FIP, 3.96 xFIP; 6.00 K/BB)
versus
Jake Arrieta (0.00 ERA, 2.26 FIP, 3.40 xFIP; 2.33 K/BB)
Cincinnati Reds Lineup
1. Billy Hamilton, CF
2. Joey Votto, 1B
3. Todd Frazier, 3B
4. Brandon Phillips, 2B
5. Jay Bruce, RF
6. Marlon Byrd, LF
7. Brayan Pena, C
8. Zack Cozart, SS
9. Anthony DeSclafani, P
Chicago Cubs Lineup
1. Dexter Fowler, CF
2. Anthony Rizzo, 1B
3. Jorge Soler, RF
4. Chris Coghlan, LF
5. Starlin Castro, SS
6. Miguel Montero, C
7. Arismendy Alcantara, 2B
8. Jake Arrieta, P
9. Jonathan Herrera, 3B