Game Ninety-One: Cubs (49-41) vs. Reds (40-49)
- Game Time – 6:10pm CDT
- Coverage – TV: Comcast SportsNet – Radio: WBBM 780, Cubs Radio Network, XM Radio Channels 186, 844
- Location – Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati
Clayton Richard (1-0, 5.79/2.04/3.28) vs. Michael Lorenzen (3-4, 3.53/1.47/5.70)
Weather permitting … The Cubs kick off a four-game, three-day series with the Reds at Great American Ball Park tonight. Kyle Schwarber is expected to catch Clayton Richard in his second start with the Cubs. And Joe Maddon will have a new familiar face in the bullpen, RHP Rafael Soriano.
The Cubs are 7-2 in the first nine games with the Reds this season. And will have to deal with a young Reds’ staff for the next three days. After tonight’s match-up of LHP Clayton Richard and RHP Michael Lorenzen, Jason Hammel is scheduled to face RHP Raisel Iglesias on Tuesday night. Wednesday’s doubleheader will feature a combination of Kyle Hendricks and Dallas Beeler taking on Mike Leake and a yet to be determined minor leaguer that could end up being RHP Donn Roach.
Kyle Schwarber is scheduled to start three of the four games with the Reds. And he will take on Joey Votto and his childhood team for the first time in games that count. Look for Schwarber to be in constant communication with David Ross over the next three days as his education continues while dealing with the emotions of playing Major League Baseball in his hometown for the first time.
Look for Joe Maddon to load his lineup with as many lefties as possible tonight. Michael Lorenzen has been very good against right handed hitters (.209/.303/.323) this year in the majors while lefties have lit him up (.314/.426/.484).
Tonight all starts with Clayton Richard …
Clayton Richard makes his second start and third appearance with the Cubs. Richard was very good in his first game in the big leagues in over two years back on July 4. Richard was acquired from the Pirates on the Friday before the Fourth of July and picked up the win the next day. Richard really settled in after Kris Bryant gave him six runs with two swings of the bat. Richard held the Marlins to two runs on eight hits with a walk and four strikeouts in 6 1/3 innings.
Richard was called on in the second inning of the game against the Cardinals on July 8. Jason Hammel started, lasted an inning and Joe Maddon tried to get Richard to pick up the slack on short rest. Richard struggled and was tagged with four runs on seven hits and three walks in three innings.
Clayton Richard has not recorded a win in five career starts against the Reds. Richard is 0-2 with a 6.33 ERA and 1.56 WHIP. And at Great American, Richard has two no decisions with a 6.48 ERA and 2.16 WHIP (eight run, six earned, on 13 hits with five walks and five strikeouts in 8 1/3 innings).
Reds Career Numbers against Clayton Richard
- Brandon Phillips: 4-for-12 with one home run and three walks
- Joey Votto: 4-for-11 with one double, one home run and two walks
- Jay Bruce: 4-for-11 with two doubles
- Marlon Byrd: 3-for-8 with one walk
- Skip Schumaker: 0-for-5
- Jason Bourgeois: 1-for-3
- Todd Frazier: 2-for-3 with one double
- Brayan Pena: 1-for-2 with one double
The Cubs get their second look at rookie right hander Michael Lorenzen. The Cubs were able to get to Lorenzen at Wrigley last month (six runs, five earned, five hits, three walks, six strikeouts in 4 1/3 innings). Lorenzen is coming off a loss to the Marlins in Miami back on July 9. Lorenzen allowed two runs on five hits with four walks and five strikeouts in six innings.
Lorenzen was 0-2 in the two starts leading up to the break with a 4.50 ERA and 1.60 WHIP. Lorenzen surrendered five runs on 10 hits with six walks and eight strikeouts in 10 innings. At Great American Ball Park this year, Michael Lorenzen is 1-2 in seven games, six starts, with a 4.10 ERA and 1.37 WHIP.
Cubs Numbers against Michael Lorenzen
- Kris Bryant: 1-for-2 with one double and one walk
- Dexter Fowler: 1-for-3 with one home run
- Anthony Rizzo: 1-for-1 with one double and one walk
- Starlin Castro: 0-for-2
- Chris Coghlan: 0-for-2
- Addison Russell: 1-for-2
- Travis Wood: 0-for-1
Let’s Talk Cubs Baseball …