Game Sixteen – Cubs (4-11) vs. Reds (7-9)
- Game Time – 1:20pm CDT
- Coverage – TV: Comcast SportsNet – Radio: 720 WGN, XM Radio Channels 183, 844
- Location – Wrigley Field, Chicago
Edwin Jackson (0-1, 6.19/1.88/3.74) vs. Tony Cingrani (1-1, 2.60/1.10/3.05)
The Cubs will try to snap their five-game losing streak this afternoon behind Edwin Jackson and pick up a rare victory against the Reds at Wrigley Field. The Friendly Confines have been just that to the Reds over the past two seasons. Counting Friday’s victory, the Cubs are 1-16 in the last 17 games against the Reds at Wrigley. While the Cubs have not been very good, there is no excuse whatsoever for a team to play that poorly against one team in their home park.
The Cubs offense continued to struggle on Friday. After going 0-for-13 with RISP at Yankee Stadium, the Cubs were 1-for-7 with RISP on Friday. That is 1-for-20 in the last three games (27 innings) with 20 men left on base. Over that time, just one runner has crossed the plate. While the Cubs could use a good outing from Edwin Jackson this afternoon for more than one reason, until the team starts hitting they will waste the good outings from their starters.
Rick Renteria should run out his all right-handed lineup this afternoon with the exception of Anthony Rizzo. Tony Cingrani has limited lefties to a .186/.239/.273 slash line with one home run in his brief big league career while righties have hit .200/.296/.339 with 13 home runs.
This afternoon all starts with Edwin Jackson …
Edwin Jackson is off to a rough start to his year and both Jackson and the Cubs could use a good outing from him this afternoon. Jackson was better than decent in his first start against the Pirates back on April 2, but it’s been pretty much downhill from there. Jackson could not complete five innings in his second start then he could not keep the Cardinals off the board his last time out. Jackson allowed four runs on eight hits to the Cardinals last Sunday in six innings with three walks and five strikeouts. Jackson will not get out of his own way, a reoccurring theme throughout his career.
Edwin Jackson must cut down on the walks. Combined with the amount of hits he has given up, there have been very few clean innings this season. In only 16 innings over three starts, Jackson has given up 19 hits with 11 walks and 14 strikeouts.
Jackson has had success against the Reds in the past. He is 2-1 in five career starts against the Redlegs with a 3.00 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP … last season, Jackson was 1-1 in two starts versus Cincinnati with a 3.75 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP (one walk, nine strikeouts and 17 hits allowed in 12 innings).
Reds Career Numbers against Edwin Jackson
- Ryan Ludwick: 3-for-14 with two doubles and one walk
- Joey Votto: 6-for-16 with two doubles and two home runs
- Jay Bruce: 1-for-14 with one double
- Brandon Phillips: 4-for-11 with one double and one walk
- Zack Cozart: 1-for-9 with one double
- Ramon Santiago: 2-for-9 with one double
- Brayan Pena: 4-for-9 with one double and one home run
- Chris Heisey: 0-for-5 with one walk
- Roger Bernadina: 0-for-5 with one walk
- Todd Frazier: 3-for-6
- Devin Mesoraco: 0-for-5
- Billy Hamilton: 0-for-1
Tony Cingrani is coming off a good outing against the Rays last Sunday. Cingrani gave up two runs on five hits with three walks and six strikeouts in 6 1/3 innings. Cingrani struggled the outing before and lasted just four innings against the Cardinals. But in his first outing on April 2 at Great American Ballpark against the Cardinals, he limited St. Louis to just two hits over seven shutout innings.
Tony Cingrani has allowed only 10 hits with nine walks and 20 strikeouts in 17 1/3 innings this season.
The Reds’ southpaw makes his fifth career start against the Cubs this afternoon. Cingrani was 1-1 in four starts versus the Cubs a year ago with a 4.15 ERA and a 0.83 WHIP. Cingrani struck out 20 Cubs in 21 2/3 innings while issuing only three walks. Cingrani is 1-0 in two career starts at Wrigley Field with a 4.15 ERA and a 0.69 WHIP.
Cubs Career Numbers against Tony Cingrani
- Starlin Castro: 1-for-10
- Anthony Rizzo: 2-for-9 with one double
- Welington Castillo: 1-for-8 with one home run
- Darwin Barney: 0-for-7 with one walk
- Justin Ruggiano: 1-for-2 with one home run and one walk
- Ryan Sweeney: 1-for-3
- Junior Lake: 1-for-1 with one double
Let’s Talk Cubs Baseball …