Game One Hundred Forty-Four: Cubs (61-82) vs. Reds (82-63)
- Game Time – 6:10pm CDT
- Coverage – TV: Comcast SportsNet – Radio: 720 WGN, XM Radio Channels 186/844
- Location – Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati
Edwin Jackson (7-15, 4.91/1.43/3.70) vs. Tony Cingrani (7-3, 2.80/1.08/3.66)
The Cubs will try to play spoiler for the second day in a row in Cincinnati as Edwin Jackson tries to pick up where Travis Wood left off on Monday night. The Cubs surprised Dusty Baker’s team on Monday and beat the Reds for just the fourth time this season (4-13).
The Cubs offense will have their hands full tonight with Tony Cingrani on the hill. The Cubs have had very little success against the southpaw this season in three tries. Look for Dale Sveum to run out his right-handed lineup tonight with Donnie Murphy at third, Welington Castillo behind the plate, Junior Lake in center and Darnell McDonald in left. Cingrani has been just as good against right handers this season as lefties and Sveum might be better off defensively with Ryan Sweeney in center flanked by Lake and McDonald.
Tonight it all starts with Edwin Jackson …
Edwin Jackson is coming off another rough outing. Jackson lasted just five innings against the Marlins after surrendering three runs on seven hits with two walks and four strikeouts. Jackson just has not done what the Cubs signed him to do, eat innings, and he will hopefully come back next season prepared to compete in his second season with the Cubs.
Edwin Jackson has not posted a win since the end of July, the last time he put together a good outing. The Cubs are 3-7 in Jackson’s last 10 starts and 0-5 in his previous five games.
Edwin Jackson faces the Reds for just the second time tonight. Jackson lost the game back on May 5 at Wrigley Field. Jackson allowed four runs on eight hits with a walk and five strikeouts in five innings. For his career, Jackson is 1-1 in four starts against the Reds with a 3.46 ERA and a 1.04 WHIP … at one start at Great American Ball Park, Jackson allowed three runs on five hits with no walks and four strikeouts in five innings (5.40 ERA and a 1.00 WHIP).
Reds Career Numbers against Edwin Jackson
- Shin-Soo Choo – 10-for-25 with three doubles and four walks
- Cesar Izturis – 0-for-12 with a walk
- Ryan Ludwick – 2-for-11 with a double and a walk
- Joey Votto – 4-for-13 with a double
- Jay Bruce – 1-for-11 with a double
- Brandon Phillips – 4-for-8 with a double and a walk
- Zack Cozart – 0-for-6
- Chris Heisey – 0-for-4 with a walk
- Ryan Hanigan – 2-for-4 with a walk
- Jack Hannahan – 1-for-5
- Devin Mesoraco – 0-for-5
- Todd Frazier – 2-for-4
- Xavier Paul – 1-for-2 with a walk
Tony Cingrani is coming off an excellent start against the Cardinals after missing 10 days with a lower back strain. Cingrani held the Cardinals to two runs on four hits in 5 1/3 innings. Cingrani walked three and struck out seven batters. Cingrani has been very good for the Reds this season in between dealing with injuries.
Cingrani is a spectacular 4-2 in seven starts since the break with a 2.08 ERA and a 0.97 WHIP. Cingrani has allowed only 22 hits with 16 walks in his last 39 big league innings. Over that span, the talented southpaw has struck out 42 batters.
The Cubs will get their fourth look of the season at Cingrani tonight. Cingrani is 1-0 in his first three starts against the Cubs with a 3.60 ERA and a 0.70 WHIP. In 20 innings, Cingrani has given up 12 hits with two walks and 19 strikeouts.
Cubs Numbers against Tony Cingrani in 2013
- Starlin Castro (.284) – 0-for-9
- Anthony Rizzo (.255) – 2-for-8 with a double
- Welington Castillo (.353) – 0-for-7
- Darwin Barney (.227) – 0-for-7
- Ryan Sweeney (.320) – 1-for-2
Let’s Talk Cubs Baseball …