Cubs vs Reds – Lineups, Pitching Matchup, How to Watch, Game Thread

April 4, 2023, by Michael Cerami Chicago Cubs

“And Opening Day was the last time they were above .500 all season.” – I’d really rather that not be something we can say a few months from now, so let’s get back on track, Cubs. Come on. You’re spoiling the fun start for Dansby Swanson. At least it’s Hayden Wesneski day. Here’s a look at the Chicago Cubs lineup for Game 2 of 3 in Cincinnati.

Chicago Cubs Lineup:

Nico Hoerner, 2B
Dansby Swanson, SS
Ian Happ, LF
Cody Bellinger, CF
Trey Mancini, DH
Patrick Wisdom, 3B
Eric Hosmer, 1B
Yan Gomes, C
Miles Mastrobuoni, RF

Today’s Cubs lineup starts off like all of the Cubs lineups have so far this season. Hoerner to Swanson to Happ, with Bellinger and Mancini in some order thereafter. The surprise, today, is Patrick Wisdom.

Wisdom was hit by a pitch on the wrist last night, bad enough to need X-rays after the game, but he’s back in there tonight. I guess that’s a good sign, though I hope he’s not just playing through an injury for the sake of it. The Cubs could use his power, no doubt, but we’ve played that game with this team so many times over the years. I genuinely have no confidence he won’t be scratched sometime before the game starts. And since there are so many other third basemen on the roster (plus an off-day Thursday), I just don’t know that I see the benefit in pushing it.

Hopefully, I’m wrong, he feels fine, and he continues his fine start to the season.

Cincinnati Reds Lineup:

Jonathan India, 2B
TJ Friedl, CF
Jake Fraley, DH
Tyler Stephenson, C
Jason Vosler, 1B
Wil Myers, RF
Spencer Steer, 3B
Kevin Newman, SS
Will Benson, LF

Pitching Matchup:

Cincinnati Reds: Luis Cessa, RHP

Cessa, 30, was a fantastic reliever with the Yankees and Reds back in 2021, but converted back into a starter near the end of last season in Cincinnati. In that role, he got by just fine in terms of results (3.77 ERA), but the underlying peripherals weren’t so pretty: 5.07 FIP, 17.8K%, 91.5 MPH EV, 13 degree launch angle, 8.5 barrel%, 48.1% hard-hit rate. Cessa carries reverse splits for a righty (there’s been a lot of that this season), both for his career and last season. So keep that in mind for tonight’s Cubs lineup. He throws a four-seamer (21%, 93.5 MPH), sinker (21.3%), changeup (18.8%), and a slider (38.9%).

Notable Matchups:

Happ: 2-8, HR, BB
Mancini: 1-8, 4BB, 4K
Hosmer: 2-5, HR
Hoerner: 1-5, 2BB

Chicago Cubs: Hayden Wesneski, RHP

Happy Hayden Wesneski Day! The Cubs rookie is making his 2023 debut after winning his job in the rotation this spring. He came in as an underdog for the gig, but beat out Javier Assad (who’s now in the bullpen) and Adrian Sampson (who’s in Iowa) with a stellar performance this spring. Wesneski was also a stud for the Cubs down the stretch last season and will feature a slider-heavy approach against the Reds tonight. His slider is awesome.

Notable Matchups: