NEWSLETTER
Do you remember this?
Brennaman closes his rant about the Cubs fans (featured below): "Enough already." pic.twitter.com/9lPWyGp41W
— Zach Bernard (@Zachbernardfw) April 23, 2016
If you haven’t already seen that, first of all: you’re welcome – it’s hilarious and perfectly describes how so many teams must’ve felt about those relentless 2016 Chicago Cubs. But note, I’m using it differently today.
While the 2016 Cubs were making their Reds say “enough already” a few years ago, the sentiment has been reversed this season.
Indeed, let me remind you that the Reds have taken two of three from the Cubs three times already this season (the end of June, the end of May, *and* the middle of May). Yup, that’s right. The Reds have beaten the Cubs in three straight series coming into this three game set at Wrigley Field. So, yes, I’m here and I am pleading with the Cubs … ENOUGH ALREADY … Beat the freakin Reds and keep the good second-half vibes going.
Please.
We’re Going Streaking
The Chicago Cubs (50-43)Â just won three straight against the Pirates after the break. They’ve also finally reached 50 wins, just the third team in the National League to do so (11th team overall though), and have a 2.5 game lead in the NL Central.
The Cincinnati Reds (42-48) just dropped two of three to the Rockies on the road and are in the cellar of the NL Central (6.5 games back). Even still, they have a very good run differential and have had plenty of success against the Cubs this season.
Game Times and Broadcasts Info
Pitching Matchups
Game 1: Kyle Hendricks v. Luis Castillo (R)
Game 2: Alec Mills (R) v. Anthony DeSclafani (R)
Game 3: Yu Darvish (R) v. Sonny Gray (R)
Chicago Cubs
Unavailable: Xavier Cedeno, Carl Edwards Jr., Cole Hamels, Brandon Morrow, Allen Webster, Ben Zobrist
Cincinnati Reds
Unavailable: Tucker Barnhart, Amir Garret
Keep An Eye Out For …
Cubs Pitcher:Â Tonight’s start will be just the third for Kyle Hendricks since returning from a mid-June shoulder injury, and hopefully his first good one since then, too. If you recall, his first start back was rain-interrupted and limited by a strict pitch count, and his second outing featured some unusual spottiness in command. So it’s been quite a while since we’ve had a fully operational Hendricks in the rotation. I’m desperate to get that back ASAP, especially with Cole Hamels still out, himself.
Cubs Player: Robel Garcia continues to be the player to watch right now. On the one hand, he’s got two doubles, a triple, and two homers in just 21 plate appearances … and on the other hand he’s already struck out 9 times. So, basically, he’s been exactly what we expected: a crazy productive slugger with even crazier strikeout issues. I don’t know if the Ks are going to come down anytime soon, but I wouldn’t mind seeing a few more extra base hits in the meantime.
Reds Pitcher: Luis Castillos has more or less owned the Cubs through two starts this season, but I think this is the week it all changes. Seeing the same pitcher three times since May has to work in the Cubs favor and you just hope they’ve picked something up by now. For what it’s worth, his last outing was a gem against the Brewers: 7.2 IP, 1H, 1BB, 9Ks. Yikes.
Reds Player:Â I KNEW Joey Votto would not struggle for long – even at his age. And lo and behold: since May 24th, the Reds first baseman has hit .333/.403/.496 with a 10.7% walk rate and 16.4% strike out rate.
