NEWSLETTER
The Chicago Cubs are hoping to extend their winning streak to five games tonight, going for the series sweep against the Cincinnati Reds at Wrigley Field.
Taking the mound tonight for the Cubs is Jason Hammel. Last time out, Hammel faced a much more potent Arizona offense while allowing just 1 run, 4 hits and 3 walks in his 6.0 innings of work.
Also, as you may have noticed (or read in today’s lineup piece), Tommy La Stella is starting at third base and Kris Bryant is out in left field. The Reds’ starting pitcher, Raisel Iglesias, has been far worse against lefties (.338 wOBA) than righties (.271 wOBA) throughout his career, so the Cubs will make him face six of them tonight.
Addison Russell continues to bat eighth, despite heating up over the last three games (.273/.385/.545) and walking at a rate only befitting of a 2016 Chicago Cub: 15.4%. If he can continue to improve at the plate (he already looks far more confident), he might actually be able to sneak his way up into the 5-7 range before the season ends. But even if he doesn’t, it might be more of a testament to the offensive ability loaded throughout the rest of the Cubs lineup.
Game Info
Chicago Cubs (7-1) at Cincinnati Reds (5-3), 7:05 CT on CSN, 670 The Score.
Game Thread and Series Preview
Your game thread is down there in the comments, so have fun. But keep it “safe for work” type fun, all right?
The Series Preview lives here.
Starting Pitchers
Cubs: Jason Hammel (R)
versus
Reds: Raisel Iglesias (R)
Cincinnati Reds Lineup
1. Billy Hamilton, CF
2. Eugenio Suarez, SS
3. Joey Votto, 1B
4. Brandon Phillips, 2B
5. Jay Bruce, RF
6. Adam Duvall, LF
7. Jordan Pacheco, 3B
8. Tucker Barnhart, C
9. Raisel Iglesias, P
Chicago Cubs Lineup
1. Dexter Fowler, CF
2. Jason Heyward, RF
3. Ben Zobrist, 2B
4. Anthony Rizzo, 1B
5. Kris Bryant, LF
6. Tommy La Stella, 3B
7. Miguel Montero, C
8. Addison Russell, SS
9. Jason Hammel, P
