Game Eighteen: Cubs (13-4) vs. Reds (8-9)
- Game Time – 6:10pm CDT
- Coverage – TV: Comcast SportsNet – Radio: WSCR 670 The Score, Cubs Radio Network, XM Radio Channels 185, 844
- Location – Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati
John Lackey (3-0, 3.66/1.16/2.88) vs. Dan Straily (0-0, 2.70/0.82/4.01)
Joe Maddon gives the ball to John Lackey tonight as the Cubs look for the series win in game three of four in Cincinnati.
The Cubs followed up Jake Arrieta’s no-hitter with a solid performance behind Jon Lester on Friday night. The Cubs manufactured three runs early, hit two longballs and pulled away with four runs in the ninth inning.
The Cubs will get their second look at Dan Straily tonight. The former Cubs’ right-hander was dealt to Houston last in January 2015, along with Luis Valbuena, for Dexter Fowler. Straily makes his second start with the Reds tonight. Straily has performed well for the Reds this season and will look to end the Reds skid against the Cubs.
Tonight all starts with John Lackey …
After two less than stellar outings to begin the season, John Lackey showed why the front office wanted him in the rotation in the opener against the Cardinals. Lackey dominated his former team and set the tone for the series. Lackey completed seven innings of shutout ball while allowing just four hits and a walk. Lackey struck out 11, one short of his career-high.
Lackey makes his second start of the season against the Reds. Lackey settled down after a poor first inning at Wrigley and pitched into the seventh. Lackey allowed two runs on six hits with three walks and struck out seven in 6 2/3 innings against the Reds.
John Lackey is 4-2 in 10 career starts versus the Reds with a 2.74 ERA and 1.04 WHIP. At Great American Ball Park, Lackey is 1-1 in five starts with a 4.00 ERA and 1.22 WHIP.
Reds Career Numbers against John Lackey
- Brandon Phillips: 6-for-30 with one double
- Jay Bruce: 5-for-26 with one double and two home runs
- Billy Hamilton: 7-for-21 with two doubles and one walk
- Joey Votto: 4-for-14 with two home runs and five walks
- Eugenio Suarez: 5-for-16 with one walk
- Devin Mesoraco: 1-for-10
- Zack Cozart: 2-for-8
- Adam Duvall: 2-for-6
- Tucker Barnhart: 1-for-3 with one walk
- Ivan DeJesus Jr.: 0-for-3
- Scott Schebler: 1-for-3 with one triple
- Jordan Pacheco: 0-for-1 with one walk
- Tyler Holt: 0-for-1
Dan Straily made his first start of the season against the Rockies his last time out. Straily gave up one run on two hits with two walks and four strikeouts in five innings. Straily earned another start and will face one of his former organizations tonight.
In four games, one start, for the Reds this season, Straily has given up four runs on five hits with six walks and 12 strikeouts in 13 1/3 innings. And he faces the Cubs for the second time.
Dan Straily replaced Alfredo Simon at Wrigley on April 13. The Cubs touched him up for two runs on two hits with two walks and three strikeouts in 2 1/3 innings.
Tonight is Straily’s third career appearance, second start, against the Cubs. Straily is 1-0 with a 1.93 ERA and 0.86 WHIP.
Cubs Career Numbers against Dan Straily
- Dexter Fowler: 1-for-4 with one home run
- Anthony Rizzo: 0-for-3 with one walk
- Jason Heyward: 1-for-2
- Ben Zobrist: 0-for-2
- Kris Bryant: 0-for-1
- John Lackey: 0-for-1
- Miguel Montero: 1 walk
- Addison Russell: 1 walk
- Jorge Soler: 1-for-1
Let’s Talk Cubs Baseball …