Kyle Hendricks last start out (against the White Sox) wasn’t particularly strong, but he’s really had only one start this season that can be characterized as “bad,” and that was his second start of the season against the Reds. Well, Hendricks will return to Cincinnati tonight and hope for a little better luck.
There’s also this absurdity and potential signal for tonight?
Half of those four came in 4.1 IP against the Reds though, so buyer beware!
— Michael Cerami (@Michael_Cerami) August 28, 2020
Hendricks has walked just two batters in his 5 non-Reds starts this season. That is just absolutely insane. And 4 walks in 38.0 IP is good for a 2.7% walk rate, which is well above even Hendricks’ usually impressive mark (5.5% career rate).
As for Mahle, we discussed the Cubs potential advantages in the lineup post earlier today, so I’ll add only that Jason Heyward (13 ABs), Javy Baez (10 ABs), and Kyle Schwarber (10 ABs) have all homered off him in the past. Schwarber has struck out 5 times though.
Let’s go.
Game Info
Chicago Cubs (18-12) at Cincinnati Reds (13-17) – Friday, August 28th at 6:10 CT on MARQ, 670 The Score
Starting Pitchers
Reds: Tyler Mahle (R)
versus
Cubs: Kyle Hendricks (R)
Chicago Cubs (discussion here):
1. Ian Happ, CF
2. Anthony Rizzo, 1B
3. Javy Baez, SS
4. Kyle Schwarber, LF
5. Willson Contreras, DH
6. Jason Heyward, RF
7. David Bote, 3B
8. Victor Caratini, C
9. Jason Kipnis, 2B
Cincinnati Reds
1. Shogo Akiyama, CF
2. Nick Castellanos, RF
3. Jesse Winker, LF
4. Eugenio Suarez, 3B
5. Mike Moustakas, 1B
6. Matt Davidson, DH
7. Freddy Galvis, 2B
8. Jose Garcia, SS
9. Tucker Barnhart, C