NEWSLETTER
The Cubs are likely riding as high as they have in a long time after sweeping the Orioles at Wrigley Field. Now they head down to Cincinnati with JORGE SOLER in tow for games two and three.
We’re Going Streaking
The Cubs swept the Orioles at Wrigley, and have now won six of eight. As I said, they’re probably riding as high as they have been in a long time. Rightly so. Good things are on the way.
The Reds just took two in a row from the Braves, but that followed a seven-game losing streak. They’re now 5 games under .500, and just 4.5 games ahead of the Cubs. They’ve fallen far.
Game Times and Broadcasts
Expected Starters and Lineups
These lineups are likely to be pretty close to what actually gets fielded, but you’ll want to check each day’s Pre-Gamin’ post for the actual lineup.
Cubs
Starters: Travis Wood (4.91 ERA, 4.21 FIP; 1.91 K/BB), Jacob Turner (2.08 ERA, 2.67 FIP; 1.00 K/BB), Jake Arrieta (2.53 ERA, 2.41 FIP; 3.97 K/BB)
Lineup:
- Chris Coghlan, LF
- Javier Baez, SS
- Anthony Rizzo, 1B
- Starlin Castro, SS
- JORGE SOLER, RF (he and Coghlan could flip defensively)
- Luis Valbuena, 3B
- Arismendy Alcantara, CF
- Welington Castillo, C
- Pitcher
Reds
Starters: Johnny Cueto (2.20 ERA, 3.24 FIP; 3.60 K/BB), TBA, TBA
Lineup:
- Billy Hamilton, CF
- Todd Frazier, 3B
- Brandon Phillips, 2B
- Devin Mesoraco, C
- Jay Bruce, RF
- Ryan Ludwick, LF
- Brayan Pena, 1B
- Zack Cosart, SS
- Pitcher
Hot or Not and Whom to Watch
JORGE SOLERRRRRRRRRRRR!
Starlin Castro returns after missing just shy of a week, tending to a tragedy in the Dominican Republic. Hopefully he’s started the healing process, because I really can’t imagine.
It’s modest, but Arismendy Alcantara has a four-game hitting streak, and is batting .438/.438/.625 over those four games.
Billy Hamilton looked like he’d turned a corner offensively earlier this year, but here’s him over the last 31 games: .220/.248/.268. Obviously it’s all a process, but there were always questions about his bat.
Zack Cosart has a .257 wOBA. That’s poor.
