NEWSLETTER
The Chicago Cubs have a double-header today, and the first game will take place at 12:10. Kyle Hendricks is getting the ball in that one, and the Cubs will hope he can last nice and long, preserving the bullpen for Game 2. Fortunately, the Cubs used just Justin Wilson, Justin Hancock, and Mike Montgomery last night (and had no game on Thursday) so all the heavy hitters are well-rested.
Plus, Hendricks has been lasting deep into ballgames all year (jinx-jinx-jinx). Of his eight starts, only two have been 5.0 IP and the rest have been 6.0 IP or more (three of which were 7.0 IP or more). I suspect he’ll have a nice lengthy leash today, even if he runs out of trouble, in an effort to preserve the pen (it’s not like Jose Quintana has been cruising through innings this season).
Starting opposite Hendricks is right-hander Luis Castillo. Castillo, 25, debuted for the Reds last season and was pretty fantastic over 15 starts (3.12 ERA, 3.74 FIP). However, this season hasn’t been nearly as kind (6.02 ERA, 4.94 FIP). So what’s going on? Well, the short version is that even thought he did manage to lower his walk rate from last season (now at a solid 7.5%), his strikeout rate dropped considerably (27.2% to 22.9%). It’s not a bad mark, but that’s a huge difference.
Perhaps more importantly, batters are crushing him this year (37.9% hard-hit rate, versus 29.6% hard-hit rate last season). And while he had a brilliant 58.8% ground ball rate in 2017, that number has dropped to 48.6% this season – like his strikeout rate, that’s still a good number, but clearly a huge drop.
We don’t have the time (or need) to dive any deeper right now, but those are some fascinating peripheral drops. I’d love to see what’s going on behind the scenes (I’m sure Reds fans are frustrated).
Anyway, that’s game one – you’re broadcast info, lineups, etc. can be found below -and let’s go Cubs.
Game Info
Chicago Cubs (23-18) at Cincinnati Reds (15-30) – 12:10 CT on NBC Sports Chicago, 670 The Score
Game Thread and Series Preview
Your game thread is down in the comments, so let’s have some good, clean (safe-for-work) fun today.
Starting Pitchers
Cubs: Kyle Hendricks (R): 3.20 ERA, 4.60 FIP; 4.22 K/BB
versus
Reds: Luis Castillo (R):Â 6.02 ERA, 4.94 FIP; 3.07 K/BB
Cincinnati Reds Lineup:
- Jesse Winker, LF
- Jose Peraza, SS
- Joey Votto, 1B
- Scooter Gennett, 2B
- Eugenio Suarez, 3B
- Scott Schebler, RF
- Tucker Barnhart, C
- Luis Castillo, P
- Billy Hamilton, CF
Chicago Cubs Lineup:
- Albert Almora Jr., CF
- Kris Bryant, 3B
- Anthony Rizzo, 1B
- Addison Russell, SS
- Kyle Schwarber, LF
- Victor Caratini, C
- Javy Baez, 2B
- Ian Happ, RF
- Kyle Hendricks, P
