Series Preview: Cubs at Reds, May 18 – May 20, 2018

Although the Cubs dropped just two of the three games they played against the Braves this week, it sure felt like a series sweep thanks to the lack of run-scoring and the fact that their only win was a straight-up steal. And even though the rain out helps the roster/bullpen/rotation a bit, I still wish the game happened and the Cubs had a chance to ride into Cincinnati with some momentum (for us, if not for them). Alas, they’ll just play a million games in a row at the end of the season when the stakes are higher and everyone’s tired.

And of course they’re getting the Reds just when they’ve started playing really well. Hopefully, the Cubs treat them like the perpetually rebuilding squad they are and get back on top of the NL Central as soon as possible.

Note: There’s a double-header on Saturday, so get ready for a weekend loaded with baseball.

We’re Going Streaking

The Chicago Cubs (22-18) bounced out of their five-game losing streak with a cool five wins against the Marlins and White Sox, but sorta fell back down to Earth against the Braves, dropping two of three and not looking great in the process. They’re current six for their last ten and 2.5 games out of first (though, to be fair, they’ve played a fewer games than the teams ahead of them in the standings).

The Cincinnati Reds (15-29) had a little fun last weekend, sweeping the Dodgers over four in Los Angeles, but they promptly lost their first two against the Giants before winning the finale and taking an off-day yesterday. They’re currently seven for their last ten and 11.5 games out of first.

Game Times and Broadcasts Info

  • Friday, May 18 at 6:10 CT on NBC Sports Chicago, 670 The Score
  • Saturday, May 19 at 12:10 on WGN, 670 The Score
  • Saturday, May 19 at 6:10 on WGN, 670 The Score
  • Sunday, May 20 at 12:10 on ABC-7, 670 The Score
  • Chicago Cubs

    Probable Pitchers:

  • Jon Lester (2.66 ERA, 4.55 FIP; 1.80 K/BB)
  • Kyle Hendricks (3.20 ERA, 4.60 FIP; 4.22 K/BB)
  • Jose Quintana (5.23 ERA, 5.03 FIP; 1.81 K/BB)
  • Yu Darvish (5.56 ERA, 5.11 FIP; 2.33 K/BB)
  • Active Depth Chart:

  • C – Willson Contreras
  • 1B – Anthony Rizzo
  • 2B – Javy Baez
  • 3B – Kris Bryant
  • SS – Addison Russell
  • LF – Kyle Schwarber/Ben Zobrist
  • CF – Albert Almora/Ian Happ
  • RF – Ben Zobrist*
  • *Jason Heyward is on the 7-day concussion DL

    Cincinnati Reds

    Probable Pitchers:

  • Homer Bailey (5.59 ERA, 6.16 FIP; 5.26 K/BB)
  • TBA (0.00 ERA, 0.00 FIP; 0.00 K/BB)
  • TBA (0.00 ERA, 0.00 FIP; 0.00 K/BB) [Brett, a dad: Man, that TBA guy is getting incredibly lucky on balls in play!]
  • Tyler Mahle (4.34 ERA, 5.01 FIP; 2.88 K/BB)
  • Active Depth Chart:

  • C – Tucker Barnhart
  • 1B – Joey Votto
  • 2B – Scooter Gennett
  • 3B – Eugenio Suarez
  • SS – Jose Peraza
  • LF – Adam Duvall
  • CF – Billy Hamilton
  • RF – Scott Schebler
  • Keep an Eye Out For …

    Cubs Pitcher: Mike Montgomery’s 67.6% ground ball rate is the third highest among all qualified relievers in baseball this season (he’s followed by Eddie Butler, who, yes, still qualifies with 14.2 IP, even though he’s been out for nearly a month with a groin injury), but he’s been worth -0.1 WAR, because he’s striking out just 10.2% of the batters he’s faced. He wasn’t a strikeout machine last year (18.5 K%), but 10.2% is FAR too low. He’ll have to start missing some bats if he wants to get more high-leverage innings. In the meantime, he’s gotta keep generating soft contact and is somewhat at the mercy of BABIP.

    Cubs Player: Willson Contreras has been among the top 15 hitter in baseball this month, with a 182 wRC+. Most impressive? His 11.5% walk rate is only just barely behind his 13.5% strikeout rate. Even crazier? His .306 BABIP in May is actually lower than his career average, and that’s despite the fact that he has a tiny 12.8% soft-hit rate in May. He’s got great results, and, if anything, has been unlucky. 

    Reds Have Two Pitchers (Jared Hughes and Amir Garret): with exactly 25.2 innings pitched, 1.40 ERAs and 2.75 FIPs. That’s weird. Also weird: the Reds have four(!) qualified relievers with sub-2.00 ERAs. So … hope for an early lead.

    Reds Player: Billy Hamilton is finally doing it! He’s got a 12.0% walk rate! Now he can steal all the time … Oh. His OBP is still just .307, despite a BABIP of .302. Never mind. He’ll still get on against Jon Lester and steal a base (or three) tonight, but whatever. Until he gets on with some consistency, who cares? Unless the Reds win 1-0, which, hey, that ain’t on Lester …

    written by

    Michael Cerami began covering the Chicago Cubs for Bleacher Nation as a part-time contributor in 2015. One year later, he joined Bleacher Nation full-time, covering the Chicago Cubs and Major League Baseball. Today, Michael runs Bleacher Nation, contributing as a writer (Cubs, MLB) and an editor for all sections of the site, including the Chicago Bears, Bulls, and Blackhawks, as well as MLB, NBA, NHL, and NFL. In 2019, Michael was the co-host of NBC Sports Chicago's Cubs Post-Game Show Outside the Ivy. You can find him on Twitter/X @Michael_Cerami

    more cubs news

    The First Chicago Cubs Lineup of the Year is Here!

    *SHORT COURTS: It's Time To Bring The Home Court, Home! Looking for a unique way to celebrate your athlete or team before you peruse the FIRST CHICAGO CUBS LINEUP of the Year? Don't miss out! For just one more week...

    The Cubs Are Among the Most Returning-y Teams

    I am still mostly incapacitated at the moment, so apologies for the short shrift on such an otherwise blessed day. In between pokes and prods, I wanted to share a chart I saw that was pretty interesting, even if unsurprising:...

    Maybe the Cubs Are the Favorites in the NL Central, After All?

    ESPN was the first to throw some love the Cubs way this week, with an overwhelming majority of their writers, analysts, and editors picking the Chicago Cubs to win the NL Central in 2024. But the love doesn't end there....

    The Season Begins, Love for Morel, Counsell’s Value, and Other Cubs Bullets

    You know where you want to spend your Opening Day morning? The hospital! Suffice to say, this is not how I imagined getting HYPED for the Cubs' opener. I guess I'll just have to think about all the possible lineup...

    Cubs vs Rangers: The First Series of the Year!

    Cubs vs Rangers — THE REGULAR SEASON IS HERE! Wake up and rejoice. Later tonight, the Cubs will begin their march toward October Baseball against the (reigning World Series champion) Texas Rangers in Arlington. Justin Steele is getting the nod...

    The 2024 Chicago Cubs for Dummies

    Boom. We made it. The offseason is over, and the Cubs regular season - and those elevated expectations - begins tomorrow. But in case you slept through the winter, I'm here to catch you up on everything you need to...

    I’m Expecting More This Year, Cubs — It’s Time to Start Winning

    There's no way around it: The Chicago Cubs did *not* have the offseason we hoped they might after making Craig Counsell the highest paid manager in MLB history. Not that they did poorly, mind you. Cody Bellinger, Shota Imanaga, and...

    I Dug Deep on the Cubs 2024 Schedule (And I Like What I See)

    Finally, with Cody Bellinger in the fold, we can start focusing more seriously on the season ahead. So today, I thought we'd take a look at the Cubs 2024 schedule. You can flip through the Cubs 2024 schedule right here...

    Here’s What I’m Betting on the Cubs for Opening Day

    I get it. Sports betting isn't for everyone — like, say, the interpreter for an international baseball superstar — but some of us quite enjoy it! If you are one of those people, this article is for you. Below, I'm...

    WAKE UP, BASEBALL IS BACK

    The day has arrived. Opening Day. The most glorious day on the baseball calendar, save for the day of each Chicago Cubs World Series win, of course. See, I get to say things like that on Opening Day. Maybe the...

    Latest News

    Rome Odunze Has a Visit With the Bears Coming Soon

    If you aren't already familiar with Rome Odunze's name or game, your time will come. The University of Washington wide receiver is one of the top prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft. At this point of the year, I've officially...

    Matt Eberflus Opens a Window to the Chicago Bears Draft Plans

    NFL coaches are notoriously tight-lipped. And in his first two seasons as Bears head coach, Matt Eberflus has been no different. But every once in a while you'll catch Eberflus peel back the curtain and provide some insight regarding the...

    How to Watch Braves vs. Phillies: Live Stream or on TV

    The Atlanta Braves, with Spencer Strider on the mound, take on the Philadelphia Phillies (who will counter with Zack Wheeler) in their opening game of the season, at 3:05 PM ET on Friday.Keep reading to find out all the details...

    Jonas Valančiūnas Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Bucks – Thursday, March 28, 2024

    On Thursday at 8:00 PM ET, the New Orleans Pelicans play the Milwaukee Bucks, and Jonas Valančiūnas' 3-pointer prop for this clash requires just one trey.Jonas Valančiūnas' Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the BucksJonas Valanciunas' over/under for three-pointers in this game:...

    Top 25 College Basketball Picks and Best Bets: March 28

    The Illinois Fighting Illini and the Iowa State Cyclones hit the court in one of four games on the college basketball slate on Thursday that include a ranked team.How to Bet on Top 25 Games[lasso rel="draftkings-promo-1" id="299003"]Top 25 Games for...

    What Does a Chicago Bears NFL Draft Trade Down Look Like?

    You'd think we'd be well-versed in trade-back options after months of wondering what kind of haul it would take for the Bears to move off taking quarterback Caleb Williams with the first pick of the 2024 NFL Draft. But trading...

    Diamondbacks vs. Rockies Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, March 28, 2024

    The Arizona Diamondbacks begin their season as -226 favorites in a home tilt against the Colorado Rockies on Thursday at 10:10 PM ET, live on ARID.Arizona's Zac Gallen and Colorado's Kyle Freeland have been named the starters for this contest.Diamondbacks...

    Mariners vs. Red Sox Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, March 28, 2024

    The Seattle Mariners start their season as home favorites (-155) in a matchup with the Boston Red Sox on Thursday at 10:10 PM ET, live on NESN from T-Mobile Park.Seattle's Luis Castillo and Boston's Brayan Bello have been named the...

    Guardians vs. Athletics Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, March 28, 2024

    The Cleveland Guardians look to start their season with a win as road favorites (-145) in a season-opening matchup with the Oakland Athletics. First pitch is on Thursday at 10:07 PM ET on NBCS-CA, live from Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.Cleveland's Shane...

    Damian Lillard Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Pelicans – Thursday, March 28, 2024

    Will Damian Lillard make four 3-pointers when the Milwaukee Bucks face the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday at 8:00 PM ET? If so, he'll beat his prop for the game.Damian Lillard's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the PelicansDamian Lillard's over/under for...

    more cubs news