MLB does not do a good job promoting their league.
Last season, the field of dreams game took place between two playoff teams, including an electric and young White Sox squad and the New York Yankees. This season, it’s between two of the worst teams in baseball who just sold off large swaths of their roster at the trade deadline. That was a mistake. And one anybody could have seen coming before the season.
They should have either kept it as a one-and-done or just had the Yankees and White Sox do it every year given the actual connection to the story. Or at least pick teams that aren’t better off losing for purposes of the reverse standings – the Cubs and Reds are separated by just one game in the standings, but the Reds (13.25%) have nearly double the draft lottery odds as the Cubs (7.5%).
The Cubs have a schedule day off tomorrow, by the way, with the series picking back up in Cincinnati on Saturday.
We’re Going Streaking
The Chicago Cubs (45-65) just took two of three from the Washington Nationals at Wrigley Field, which, well, yeah they should have. They’re back to third place in the NL Central and sixth in the reverse standings for the draft lottery. The Cincinnati Reds (44-66) were just swept by the Mets, but took 4 of 6 from the Marlins in back-to-back series before that.
Hot or Not and Whom to Watch
Since coming off the IL on August 4, Nick Madrigal has five hits (including a double!) and three walks, which amounts to a 145 wRC+. He’s been hitting the ball hard (89.1 MPH) and elevating it WAY more than before (11.6 degrees). I really really hope he finds a way to keep this up.
Zach McKinstry began his Cubs career slowly, but has four hits in his last two games as he continues his takeover of third base.
Keegan Thompson got good results in his last start (6.0 IP, 5H, 1ER, 0BB, 3Ks), but he did not have his best stuff – from velocity to spin rate. He allowed a ton of hard contact (94.3 MPH average exit velocity) and a lot of line drives and fly balls. He may be nearing the end of his rope as he’s WELL above his previous single-season inning total. The Cubs would be wise to manage his innings carefully from here.
Game Times and Broadcast Info
Pitching Probables
Game 1: Drew Smyly (LHP) vs. Nick Lodolo (LHP)
Game 2: Adrian Sampson (RHP) vs. Graham Ashcraft (RHP)
Game 3: Keegan Thompson (RHP) vs. Justin Dunn (RHP)
Chicago Cubs:
Injured/Unavailable: Steven Brault, Jason Heyward, Wade MIley, Alec Mills, Kyle Hendricks, Adbert Alzolay, Brad Wieck, Codi Heuer, Manuel Rodriguez, Michael Hermosillo, Ethan Roberts
Cincinnati Reds:
Injured/Unavailable: Aramis Garcia, Mike Moustakas, Art Warren, Jeff Hoffman, Hunter Greene, Teejay Antone, Daniel Duarte, Connor Overton, Justin Wilson, Tony Santillan, Lucas Sims, Vladimir Gutierrez, Tyler Stephenson
By the Numbers
Run Differential:
Cubs: -76
Reds: -101
Runs Scored Per Game:
Cubs: 4.13
Reds: 4.24
Runs Allowed Per Game:
Cubs: 4.82
Reds: 5.21