Last night’s game matched the first two in the series, except the baseball cleat was on the other foot.
The Cubs got blown up by the Reds’ bats, who went deep again and again, and made the game a laugher, despite the Cubs’ bats working as many walks as strikeouts. Hopefully they keep that up today, while the pitching, led by Jason Hammel, is much better.
Speaking of working those walks, today’s starter for the Reds is Alfredo Simon, who was skipped last time through the rotation with biceps tendonitis … which popped up after that game in which the Cubs made him throw 49 pitches before exiting without even completing a single inning. My guess is that doesn’t happen again this time, but hopefully the Cubs are able to work him a bit.
A series win is on the line, and, while you can never count on taking three of four, even from a team not expected to be competitive, it would be a little disappointing to leave this series with a split.[adinserter block=”1″]
Game Info
Chicago Cubs (13-5) at Cincinnati Reds (9-9), 12:10 CT on WGN-9, 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 Cubs Lineup discussion lives here.
Starting Pitchers
Cubs: Jason Hammel (R): 1.00 ERA, 2.73 FIP, 4.33 xFIP; 2.14 K/BB
versus
Reds: Alfredo Simon (R): 12.15 ERA, 7.42 FIP, 5.34 xFIP; 1.80 K/BB[adinserter block=”2″]
Cincinnati Reds Lineup
1. Scott Schebler, CF
2. Eugenio Suarez, 3B
3. Joey Votto, 1B
4. Brandon Phillips, 2B
5. Jay Bruce, RF
6. Adam Duvall, LF
7. Tucker Barnhart, C
8. Ivan De Jesus, SS
9. Alfredo Simon, P
Chicago Cubs Lineup
1. Tommy La Stella, 2B
2. Jason Heyward, CF
3. Kris Bryant, 3B
4. Anthony Rizzo, 1B
5. Jorge Soler, RF
6. Miguel Montero, C
7. Matt Szczur, LF
8. Addison Russell, SS
9. Jason Hammel, P