NEWSLETTER
The Cubs head out to Cincinnati to begin their final road trip of the season.
We’re Going Streaking
The Cubs beat the Royals on a walk off last night, giving them a couple wins in a row. It also gave them, by virtue of the make-up game, a series win over the Royals. So the Cubs are coming off of a series win against the second best team in the AL, basically.
The Reds have lost nine in a row, which pretty much sums things up. No gambler’s fallacy here: that doesn’t mean they’re “due” for a win, it just means they’re really bad.
Game Times and Broadcasts
Or you can watch on MLB.tv.
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: Dan Haren (5.00 ERA, 5.34 FIP; 2.92 K/BB), Jon Lester (3.43 ERA, 3.01 FIP; 4.21 K/BB), Jason Hammel (3.86 ERA, 3.76 FIP; 4.18 K/BB)
Lineup:
- Dexter Fowler, CF
- Kyle Schwarber, LF
- Kris Bryant, 3B
- Anthony Rizzo, 1B
- Chris Coghlan/Jorge Soler, RF
- Miguel Montero, C
- Tommy La Stella/Starlin Castro, 2B
- Addison Russell, SS
- Pitcher
Reds
Starters: Josh Smith (7.23 ERA, 6.27 FIP; 1.19 K/BB), Anthony DeSclafani (3.91 ERA, 3.68 FIP; 2.70 K/BB), John Lamb (5.40 ERA, 4.05 FIP; 3.25 K/BB)
Lineup:
- Skip Schumaker, CF
- Ivan De Jesus, LF
- Joey Votto, 1B
- Brandon Phillips, 2B
- Jay Bruce, RF
- Todd Frazier, 3B
- Eugenio Suarez, SS
- Brayan Pena, C
- Pitcher
Hot or Not and Whom to Watch
Given how absurdly hot he was in August, Dexter Fowler was probably going to have a down stretch at some point, which has in September: .204/.297/.327. As he goes, the Cubs’ offense goes, so hopefully he can turn things around in the next week.
Ditto for the guy who usually hits just behind him. Kyle Schwarber since August 20: .155/.274/.361 with a 30.1% K rate.
Over the last month, Anthony DeSclafani has pitched to a 2.08 FIP. The Reds might have something in him when it’s all said and done.
Remember when the Mets almost traded for Jay Bruce, but instead went with Yoenis Cespedes? Yeah, that was probably a good decision. While Cespedes has gone off, Bruce has done this since the deadline: .176/.219/.362.
Joey Votto has his would-be-MVP-except-for-Bryce-Harper-and-his-own-team line up to .318/.464/.554. This time, don’t let him beat you. No matter what.
