Game Ninety – Cubs (38-51) vs. Reds (47-43)
- Game Time – 6:10pm CDT
- Coverage – TV: WGN TV – Radio: 720 WGN, XM Radio Channels 185, 844
- Location – Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati
Dallas Beeler (0-1, 0.00/1.17/2.61) vs. Alfredo Simon (11-3, 2.78/1.05/4.36)
The Cubs will look to snap their five-game losing streak tonight behind Dallas Beeler in his second big league start. And Rick Renteria will try to get as many innings as possible out of the rookie with his bullpen covering more than seven innings of Tuesday’s doubleheader.
The Cubs have stopped hitting with runners on base and in scoring position. The Cubs are 4-for-30 with runners in scoring position over the first three games of the five-game series with the Reds and have left 29 men on base. Until the offense is able to string together hits and put runs on the board, the pitching staff will continue to have little room for error.
The Cubs have to make a roster move prior to tonight’s game in order to open a spot on the active roster for Dallas Beeler. The Cubs should keep LHP Chris Rusin on the active roster for one more day just in case the team needs innings tonight. Rusin has not pitched since Saturday and should be able give the Cubs three or four innings. RHP Blake Parker is likely the odd man out of the Cubs’ pen.
All eyes will be on the lineup when it is released today (it will be out by the time this game preview publishes on the site) to see if Arismendy Alcantara is part of the starting eight or if he will make his big league debut off the bench. The Cubs have nothing to lose for putting Alcantara in the starting lineup to see what he can do against two very good pitchers for the next two days.
Tonight all starts with Dallas Beeler …
Dallas Beeler makes his second big league start tonight. Beeler created quite the buzz with the way he pitched in his big league debut on June 28 at Wrigley Field against the Nationals. Beeler gave up one unearned run on four hits in six innings. Beeler struck out six and walked three, one intentional. Beeler made one start with Iowa after he went back down. Beeler allowed two runs on eight hits to Omaha on July 3. Beeler struck out four batters and walked two.
Dallas Beeler has a chance to stay in the big leagues. But he will have to show he deserves a spot in the rotation.
No one on the Reds active roster has faced Dallas Beeler in a big league ballgame.
Alfredo Simon is having an excellent season. Simon is coming off a win against the Brewers on the Fourth of July. Simon limited the Brewers to two runs on six hits with two walks and three strikeouts in 7 1/3 innings. The Reds have won each of Simon’s last seven starts. The last time Simon or the Reds lost a game in which he started was on May 27 at Dodger Stadium.
Alfredo Simon is 4-2 in seven starts at Great American Ball Park this season with a 3.38 ERA and a 1.08 WHIP. Simon received a no decision in the game at Wrigley on June 23 and he faces the Cubs for the fourth time this season.
Alfredo Simon has dominated the Cubs, like the rest of his teammates. Simon is 2-0 in three starts against the Cubs this year with a 1.42 ERA and a 1.00 WHIP. The Cubs have managed only 14 hits and five walks in 19 innings.
Cubs Numbers against Alfredo Simon in 2014
Let’s Talk Cubs Baseball …