Game One Hundred Fifty-Nine: Cubs (93-65) vs. Reds (63-95)
- Game Time – 11:35am CDT
- Coverage – TV: Comcast SportsNet, MLB Network – Radio: WBBM 780, Cubs Radio Network, XM Radio Channels 187, 844
- Location – Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati
Jason Hammel (9-7, 3.86/1.17/3.76) vs. John Lamb (1-4, 5.40/1.53/4.05)
Weather permitting … It’s an early start for the Cubs in the Reds final home game of the season. Jason Hammel makes his last start of the regular season as the Cubs look to complete the sweep in Cincinnati. The Cubs are 12-6 versus the Reds this year with one game remaining on the schedule.
Jason Hammel could use a good start today to keep in the mix for a spot in the rotation if the Cubs get past the Pirates in the NL Wild Card.
With the lefty on the hill for Cincinnati, David Ross should be behind the plate. Joe Maddon could run out a balanced lineup based on John Lamb’s big league splits. Left-handers have hit .361/.477/.614 against John Lamb in the majors and right-handers have a .284/.329/.383 slash line.
Today all starts with Jason Hammel …
Jason Hammel is looking to finish his regular season with a good outing today against the Reds. Hammel was on cruise control against the Pirates his last time out. Hammel put together his best start in the second half in four innings. But it all fell apart quickly in the fifth. Before Maddon could get him out of the game, Hammel gave up three runs with Jordy Mercer delivering the big blow, a three-run homer.
Hammel has struggled for the most part each time out since he hurt his left hamstring on July 8. Hammel is one of the big reasons the Cubs got off to a good start this year. Since the break however, he is 4-3 in 13 starts with a 5.52 ERA and 1.53 WHIP.
Over his last five starts, Hammel is 2-1 with a 6.46 ERA and 1.52 WHIP. Hammel has allowed 18 runs, 17 earned, on 28 hits with eight walks and 23 strikeouts in 23 2/3 innings. And Hammel makes his fourth start of the season against the Reds today.
Jason Hammel has three no decisions versus the Redlegs this year with a 4.20 ERA and 1.67 WHIP.
Reds Numbers against Jason Hammel in 2015
- Jay Bruce: 1-for-7 with one double and two walks
- Joey Votto: 2-for-8 with one walk
- Todd Frazier: 2-for-6 with one double, one home run and one walk
- Brayan Pena: 3-for-8 with one double
- Skip Schumaker: 1-for-6 with one walk
- Eugenio Suarez: 3-for-6 with one double
- Brandon Phillips: 2-for-6
- Jason Bourgeois: 1-for-3 with one home run
- Ivan DeJesus Jr.: 1-for-2 with one double and one walk
The Cubs get their first look at lefty John Lamb today. Lamb is coming off a rough start against the Mets. Lamb was touched up for five runs on three hits with two walks and four strikeouts in two innings. Lucas Duda and Curtis Granderson took him deep and the Mets celebrated a NL East Crown later that night at Great American Ball Park.
John Lamb has very good stuff and showed it against the Cardinals in St. Louis on Sept. 21. Lamb tossed six innings of shutout ball, allowed five hits and a walk while striking out six. Lamb is 1-1 in his last five starts with a 5.56 ERA and 1.63 WHIP.
The Reds acquired John Lamb along with Brandon Finnegan and Cody Reed from the Royals in the Johnny Cueto deal. Lamb was part of the overpay the Royals made for free agent to be Johnny Cueto.
John Lamb makes his 10th start in the big league today and no one on Joe Maddon’s roster has faced him in a Major League regular season game.
Let’s Talk Cubs Baseball …