Updated – 4:23pm CDT – Game Officially Postponed Due to Rain
Game Seventeen: Cubs (9-7) vs. Reds (8-9)
- Game Time – 12:10pm CDT
- Coverage – TV: ABC 7 – Radio: WBBM 780, Cubs Radio Network, XM Radio Channels 183, 844
- Location – Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati
Jake Arrieta (2-1, 1.74/0.87/1.81) vs. Anthony DeSclafani (2-0, 0.86/0.62/2.87)
Weather permitting … The Cubs have an early start after a late night and will turn to Jake Arrieta in the middle game of the series in Cincinnati. Joe Maddon could really use at least seven strong innings this afternoon from Jake Arrieta. Maddon had to use his bullpen for five innings last night and the extra work is not what the beleaguered pen needed. Plus, Maddon may not have Pedro Strop today. The deeper Arrieta goes this afternoon, if the game is even played, the better shot the Cubs have of winning for the second day in a row.
While Arrieta works to hold the Reds in check, the offense will have the tough task of figuring out Anthony DeSclafani. The young right hander has not allowed run in his last two starts. The Cubs get another look at him this afternoon with a deeper lineup than he faced at Wrigley Field.
This afternoon all starts with Jake Arrieta …
Jake Arrieta takes the hill for the fourth time on the young season today. Arrieta is coming off a very good outing against the Pirates. Arrieta held the Bucs to one run on four hits in seven innings. Arrieta did not issue a free pass and struck out seven batters … his last strikeout of the game, Francisco Cervelli, No. 500 of his career. Arrieta lost to the Reds his start before the Pirates because of one bad inning.
The Reds put a three-spot on the board against Arrieta in the fourth inning on hits from Joey Votto, Jay Bruce and Marlon Byrd. Arrieta settled back in and pitched into the seventh inning. Arrieta allowed three runs on seven hits with a walk and five strikeouts in 6 2/3 innings.
Jake Arrieta makes his second start on the road this afternoon in his fifth career game against the Reds. Arrieta is 2-2 in the first four with a 3.71 ERA and a 0.86 WHIP. One of Arrieta’s worst starts of the season a year ago happened in Cincinnati. The Reds ran all over Arrieta and John Baker. Arrieta lasted only four innings and gave up six runs on six hits with four walks and eight strikeouts. Today is Arrieta’s second career start at Great American Ball Park.
Reds Career Numbers against Jake Arrieta
- Todd Frazier: 2-for-12
- Billy Hamilton: 3-for-9 with three walks
- Jay Bruce: 2-for-11 with one double
- Zack Cozart: 3-for-9 with one double
- Brayan Pena: 0-for-7 with one walk
- Brandon Phillips: 3-for-8 with two doubles
- Skip Schumaker: 1-for-6 with one walk
- Brennan Boesch: 1-for-6 with one double
- Marlon Byrd: 2-for-6
- Devin Mesoraco: 1-for-5 with one walk
- Joey Votto: 2-for-6 with one double
- Anthony DeSclafani: 0-for-3
- Kristopher Negron: 0-for-1 with one walk
Anthony DeSclafani is off to a good start to his Reds career. In one of the better and underrated moves of the off-season, the Reds acquired DeSclafani from the Marlins for Mat Latos and the young right hander hasn’t allowed a run in his last two starts.
Following his dominant performance against the Cubs on April 14 in which he gave up two hits over seven shutout innings, DeSclafani tossed eight innings of shutout ball against the Brewers. In his last two starts (15 innings), DeSclafani has allowed no runs and just four hits with three walks and 10 strikeouts.
This afternoon is DeSclafani’s third career start against the Cubs. DeSclafani is 1-0 in the first two with a 2.70 ERA and a 0.83 WHIP.
Anthony DeSclafani makes his second start of the season in his new home park today. It will be interesting to see what adjustments the Cubs have made, especially in the more hitting friendly environment of Great American Ball Park.
Cubs Career Numbers against Anthony DeSclafani
- Starlin Castro: 1-for-5 with one double and one walk
- Anthony Rizzo: 0-for-6
- Chris Coghlan: 1-for-4
- Dexter Fowler: 1-for-3
- Miguel Montero: 0-for-2 with one walk
- Jorge Soler: 1-for-3
- Jake Arrieta: 0-for-2
- Jonathan Herrera: 0-for-2
Let’s Talk Cubs Baseball …