The Cubs close out their series against the Reds tonight, looking for a win to win the series – which would mean the Cubs have won two series this year and split the other. That would be a fan-freaking-tastic start to the season.
Travis Wood gets the ball tonight against his former team, against whom he’s usually pitched well. His start against the Rockies wasn’t all that bad, but we still don’t have a good sense of which Wood is going to toeing the rubber this year.
The former Cubs reunion tour of the past few days continues, with Jason Marquis starting for the Reds. Since 2010, Marquis has been worth -0.7 WAR. He didn’t pitch in the big leagues last year. In seasons past, here’s where I’d say this is a guy who will dominate the Cubs. Now? I’m not so sure, even as I’m not saying the Cubs have a great lineup. I just think they have an improved lineup.
Miguel Montero slides up to bat cleanup, presumably due to his past success against Marquis (though I’m not sure how relevant that is, all things considered). Hopefully today’s the day he breaks out. Mike Olt is still out of the starting lineup.
UPDATE: Cubs just switched Alcantara and Herrera’s positions, so Alcantara will be playing third, and Herrera second.
Game Info
Cincinnati Reds (5-3) at Chicago Cubs (4-3), 7:05 CT on WPWR (or your local affiliate), 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
Jason Marquis (4.50 ERA, 3.80 FIP, 2.73 xFIP; 3.50 K/BB)
versus
Travis Wood (5.79 ERA, 2.11 FIP, 4.36 xFIP; 2.50 K/BB)
Cincinnati Reds Lineup
1. Billy Hamilton, CF
2. Joey Votto, 1B
3. Todd Frazier, 3B
4. Brandon Phillips, 2B
5. Marlon Byrd, LF
6. Jay Bruce, RF
7. Brayan Pena, C
8. Zack Cozart, SS
9. Jason Marquis, P
Chicago Cubs Lineup
1. Dexter Fowler, CF
2. Anthony Rizzo, 1B
3. Jorge Soler, RF
4. Miguel Montero, C
5. Chris Coghlan, LF
6. Starlin Castro, SS
7. Arismendy Alcantara, 3B
8. Travis Wood, P
9. Jonathan Herrera, 2B