Yesterday, the Chicago Cubs played some good, fundamental baseball. Today they’ll try to do the same.
Taking the mound for the Cubs is Jon Lester. Lester is tasked with following up Jake Arrieta’s second no-hitter in eleven tries, but I don’t think we can really ask that of him. Maybe just a 2-hit shut out will work, yes?
At the very least, he’ll have the same catcher behind the plate in David Ross. Ross draws his second start in a row, giving Miguel Montero a well deserved breather, after catching in four straight. His bat came alive last night (2-4, walk, homer), and he’ll look to keep the good times rolling against the Reds starter, Jon Moscot (two Jons without a single “H,” how about that?)
Moscot, 24, is in just his second year as a big leaguer, after first making his debut last season for Cincinnati. He’s a pretty big guy – 6’4″, 210 – with a fastball that sits right in the 91.5 MPH range, according to FanGraphs. In addition to both a four and two-seam fastball, Moscot also throws a slider, a curve and a changeup (five pitches overall). So, he may not be able to over power hitters, but he does boast a very full arsenal. Today will be just his fourth start at the Major League level. In his first start (against the Cardinals), Moscot went 5.2 innings, giving up three earned runs on six hits, two homers, a walk and two strikeouts.[adinserter block=”1″]
Javier Baez is drawing yet another start for the Cubs, this time at third base, as Kris Bryant makes his way out to left field and Jorge Soler grabs some bench. Manage Joe Maddon has a pretty clear affinity towards Baez, and today marks his fourth start (sixth game) since coming back up on Saturday. Let’s see if he can make the most of it.
Game Info
Chicago Cubs (12-4) at Cincinnati Reds (8-8), 6:10 CT on WGN, 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. The Lineup Discussion lives here.
Starting Pitchers
Cubs: Jon Lester (L): 2.21 ERA, 3.04 FIP, 2.65 xFIP; 4.75 K/BB
versus
Reds: Jon Moscot (R): 4.76 ERA, 7.98 FIP, 4.98 xFIP; 2.00 K/BB[adinserter block=”2″]
Cincinnati Reds Lineup
1. Zack Cozart, SS
2. Eugenio Suarez, 3B
3. Joey Votto, 1B
4. Brandon Phillips, 2B
5. Devin Mesoraco, C
6. Jay Bruce, RF
7. Adam Duvall, LF
8. Tyler Holt, CF
9. Jon Moscot, P
Chicago Cubs Lineup
1. Dexter Fowler, CF
2. Jason Heyward, RF
3. Kris Bryant, LF
4. Anthony Rizzo, 1B
5. Ben Zobrist, 2B
6. Javier Baez, 3B
7. Addison Russell, SS
8. David Ross, C
9. Jon Lester, P