Trevor Williams is taking the mound for the Cubs this afternoon, and although Cincinnati is a terrible place to pitch (because it’s such a good place to hit), he has my confidence.
Williams hasn’t been lasting deep into ball games this year (24.1 IP over five starts), but he has gone at least 5.0 full innings in all but one starts and has allowed two or fewer runs in all five. Not just that, he’s looked pretty darn good along the way, with 27 strikeouts, 10 walks, and a 46.4% ground ball rate. He has allowed a lot of hard contact (like way too much), but when you’re also getting strikeouts and keeping the ball on the ground that tends to be okay.
It doesn’t hurt that he’s now got Javy Baez and Nico Hoerner behind him, plus a gold glover at first base and in right field.
Tyler Mahle has also been very good this season, most recently stifling the Dodgers for just 1 run over 5.0 innings (… yeah, I know the Dodgers have been scuffling lately, but they’re still the Dodgers). He’s got 36 strikeouts to 11 walks and has allowed a little less hard contact but a little more fly balls.
The Cubs have seemingly had nothing but rubber matches this season. Let’s see if they might consider winning some of them.
Game Info
Chicago Cubs (12-15) at Cincinnati Reds (12-14) – Sunday, May 2nd at 12:10 CT on Marquee Sports Network, 670 The Score
Starting Pitchers
Reds: Tyler Mahle (R)
versus
Cubs: Trevor Williams (R)
Chicago Cubs (Lineup Discussion):
1. Ian Happ, CF
2. Kris Bryant, LF
3. Javy Baez, SS
4. Anthony Rizzo, 1B
5. Matt Duffy, 3B
6. Jason Heyward, RF
7. Nico Hoerner, 2B
8. Tony Wolters, C
9. Trevor Williams, P
Cincinnati Reds:
1. Jesse Winker, LF
2. Nick Castellanos, RF
3. Joey Votto, 1B
4. Mike Moustakas, 3B
5. Eugenio Suarez, SS
6. Tyler Naquin, CF
7. Nick Senzel, 2B
8. Tucker Barnhart, C
9. Tyler Mahle, P