Game Seventy-Seven: Cubs (50-26) vs. Reds (29-49)
- Game Time – 11:35am CDT
- Coverage – TV: WGN-TV – Radio: WSCR 670 The Score, Cubs Radio Network, XM Radio Channels 185, 844
- Location – Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati
Kyle Hendricks, RHP (5-6, 2.76/1.01/3.37) vs. Cody Reed, LHP (0-1, 6.75/1.66/5.15)
The Cubs and Reds wrap up the three-game series with an early start time after a very late night in the Queen City. The Cubs found a way to win a game Tuesday night and have a chance today at a three-game sweep behind Kyle Hendricks.
Joe Maddon needs for Kyle Hendricks to complete at least seven innings today. The bullpen is spent after pitching 7 1/3 innings and Travis Wood will not be available. If Hendricks struggles early he might have to take one for the team.
Willson Contreras is behind the plate today. Contreras and Hendricks should be on the same page after getting time to work through things over the last week.
Ben Zobrist is leading off and Hendricks is hitting eighth with Albert Almora Jr. in center field and batting ninth against Reds’ lefty Cody Reed, who is making his third big league start today.
Cubs starting lineup: Ben Zobrist RF, Kris Bryant 3B, Anthony Rizzo 1B, Willson Contreras C, Javier Baez 2B, Matt Szczur LF, Addison Russell SS, Kyle Hendricks P, Albert Almora Jr. CF
The Cubs are 3-3 in the first six games of the 11-game road trip. A win this afternoon would make for a much happier flight to New York.
Today all starts with Kyle Hendricks …
Kyle Hendricks had a weird start his last time out. Hendricks gave up one hit and four unearned runs in five innings. A rough first inning, in which an error and back-to-back two-out walks loaded the bases, gave the Marlins a chance to get right back in the game. And Justin Bour did a little more than just chip into the Cubs four-run lead. Justin Bour hit a Grand Slam. To Hendricks credit he did not allow another run and the Cubs ended up winning the game 5-4.
Hendricks is 2-2 in his last five starts with a 2.45 ERA and 1.09 WHIP (13 runs, eight earned, 21 hits 11 walks and 33 strikeouts in 29 1/3 innings). Hendricks makes his eighth road start of the season.
Kyle Hendricks is 1-5 in seven road games with a 3.79 ERA and 1.26 WHIP. The biggest difference in Hendricks on the road compared to Wrigley is the amount of walks. Hendricks has walked five batters in 46 2/3 innings at Wrigley with 46 strikeouts. Outside of the old ballyard, Hendricks has walked 18 batters with only 32 strikeouts in 38 innings.
Today is Kyle Hendricks sixth career start against the Reds. Hendricks is 1-1 in five games with a 4.34 ERA and 1.24 WHIP … and at Great American Ball Park, where he made his Major League debut on July 10, 2014, Hendricks is 0-1 in two starts with a 6.75 ERA and 1.42 WHIP.
Reds Career Numbers against Kyle Hendricks
- Tucker Barnhart: 3-for-11 with two walks
- Joey Votto: 3-for-5 with two home runs and three walks
- Eugenio Suarez: 1-for-7 with one double
- Jay Bruce: 0-for-6
- Brandon Phillips: 2-for-6
- Billy Hamilton: 0-for-5
- Zack Cozart: 0-for-2
- Ivan DeJesus: 1-for-2
The Cubs get their first look at rookie left-hander Cody Reed in what will be his third start in the big leagues. Reed is coming off a loss against the Padres. Reed allowed five runs on nine hits with two walks and six strikeouts in five innings. Reed went seven innings in his debut against the Astros and gave up four runs on six hits with three walks and nine strikeouts.
Cody Reed was 6-3 with a 3.20 ERA and 1.17 WHIP in 11 starts with Triple-A Louisville before the Reds called him up. Reed struck out 63 batters with 17 walks in 64 2/3 innings with Louisville.
If the Cubs allow him to get comfortable on the mound it will be yet another frustrating game on the current road trip.
Let’s Talk Cubs Baseball …