Weather permitting (thunder storms are possible all day), the Cubs will play twice today in Cincinnati, with Travis Wood going first in the early afternoon. It’s been a slog for Wood after some early-season dominance and a great 2013 season. Some of this is simply predictable regression, but he’s likely a better pitcher than he’s shown over the last couple months. Presently, Wood’s peripherals are considerably worse than Edwin Jackson’s, for example.
Although the relationship is debatable, the Cubs have yet to win since trading Jeff Samardzija and Jason Hammel to the A’s on Friday. They’ll face Johnny Cueto in this one, which isn’t going to help the bats.
Game Info
Chicago Cubs (38-49) at Cincinnati Reds (46-42), 12:10 CT on WGN.
Game Thread and Series Preview
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The Series Preview lives here.
Starting Pitchers
Travis Wood (4.62 ERA, 4.16 FIP, 4.65 xFIP; 1.86 K/BB)
versus
Johnny Cueto (1.99 ERA, 2.89 FIP, 2.99 xFIP; 4.06 K/BB)
Cincinnati Reds Lineup
1. Billy Hamilton, CF
2. Todd Frazier, 1B
3. Brandon Phillips, 2B
4. Jay Bruce, RF
5. Devin Mesoraco, C
6. Chris Heisey, LF
7. Ramon Santiago, 3B
8. Zack Cosart, SS
9. Johnny Cueto, P
Chicago Cubs Lineup
1. Chris Coghlan, LF
2. Ryan Sweeney, CF
3. Anthony Rizzo, 1B
4. Starlin Castro, SS
5. Luis Valbuena, 3B
6. Nate Schierholtz, RF
7. John Baker, C
8. Darwin Barney, 2B
9. Travis Wood, P