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

The start of this game will be delayed. We’ll update this post, when we know more.

Original post follows.

It is almost hilarious how tied my mood is to the energy given off by the Cubs after any given game. Last night’s win — specifically the offensive explosion — reinvigorated me after the frustrating three-game losing streak and confusing managerial decisions. And it wasn’t just the results. The underlying performance was pretty special, too. The Cubs lineup owned 10 of the top-11 exit velocities in the game and put 11 balls in play over 100 MPH (19! that counted as “hard” contact). That is truly absurd. And thanks to the small sample, there are so many fun stats from the matchup:

The Cubs lineup now technically features three of the top 20 hitters in Major League Baseball: Ian Happ (263 wRC+, 8th), Patrick Wisdom (247 wRC+, 11th), and Dansby Swanson (231 wRC+, 18th). Obviously that can go away as quickly as it appeared, but it’s fun. Very fun.

Let’s hope they can keep it up this morning (nobody likes an early morning loss followed by an off-day). Here’s a look at the Chicago Cubs lineup for the rubber match in Cincinnati.

Chicago Cubs Lineup:

  1. Nico Hoerner, 2B
  2. Dansby Swanson, SS
  3. Ian Happ, LF
  4. Cody Bellinger, CF
  5. Trey Mancini, 1B
  6. Eric Hosmer, DH
  7. Nick Madrigal, 3B
  8. Miles Mastrobuoni, RF
  9. Tucker Barnhart, C

Even though Patrick Wisdom is one of the hottest hitters in baseball right now, David Ross swapped him out in favor of Nick Madrigal at third base. That’s unsurprising given Hunter Greene’s 100 MPH fastball — Madrigal is theoretically better at handling heat than Wisdom — but I just don’t know how you sit Wisdom right now. Dude is locked in. I get it, I do. But I don’t love it.

On the flip side, I guess this gives Wisdom and his wrist a nice two-day break until Friday’s matchup with the Rangers at Wrigley Field.

Other than that, things are pretty straight forward. Barnhart is in there instead of Gomes, Mastrobuoni is the right fielder, and Mancini/Hosmer swapped positions.

Cincinnati Reds Lineup:

  1. Jonathan India, 2B
  2. TJ Friedl, CF
  3. Jake Fraley, LF
  4. Tyler Stephenson, DH
  5. Jason Vosler, 1B
  6. Wil Myers, RF
  7. Spencer Steer, 3B
  8. Jose Barrero, SS
  9. Curt Casali, C

Pitching Matchup:

Cincinnati Reds: Hunter Greene

Hunter Greene, 23, is making his second start of the season following his Opening Day outing against the Pirates: 3.1 IP, 5H, 3ER, 3BB, 3K. He’s basically a two-pitch pitcher (fastball-slider). But one of those two pitches is 100 MPH. And his slider is one of the fastest sliders in MLB, as well. Hoerner and Happ have each had some success against Greene in the past.

Notable Matchups:

  • Hoerner: 2-6, 2B, HR, K
  • Happ: 2-5, 2B, HR, 2BB, 3K
  • Chicago Cubs: Marcus Stroman, RHP

    Marcus Stroman is also making his first start since Opening Day, when he shut down the Brewers over 6.0 innings with an uncharacteristically high (but perfectly welcomed) eight strikeouts. Stroman did a great job keeping the ball on the ground in that one, and limiting hard contact. The Brewers are better than the Reds, but GAB is a tough place to pitch (clearly). Let’s hope he can deliver again and help the Cubs get their first series win of the year.

    Notable Matchups:

  • Myers: 3-14, HR, 3BB, 7K
  • India: 2-7, 2B, BB, 3K
  • How to Watch:

    Chicago Cubs (2-3) vs Cincinnati Reds (3-2) at 11:35 CT on Marquee Sports Network, MLBN, 670 The Score

    written by

    Michael Cerami began covering the Chicago Cubs for Bleacher Nation as a part-time contributor in 2015. One year later, he joined Bleacher Nation full-time, covering the Chicago Cubs and Major League Baseball. Today, Michael runs Bleacher Nation, contributing as a writer (Cubs, MLB) and an editor for all sections of the site, including the Chicago Bears, Bulls, and Blackhawks, as well as MLB, NBA, NHL, and NFL. In 2019, Michael was the co-host of NBC Sports Chicago's Cubs Post-Game Show Outside the Ivy. You can find him on Twitter/X @Michael_Cerami

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