Game Eighty-Two: Cubs (51-30) vs. Reds (30-53)
- Game Time – 1:20pm CDT
- Coverage – TV: WGN-TV – Radio: WSCR 670 The Score, Cubs Radio Network, XM Radio Channels 185, 844
- Location – Wrigley Field, Chicago
Kyle Hendricks, RHP (6-6, 2.76/1.05/3.47) vs. Cody Reed, LHP (0-2, 9.00/1.81/6.48)
Happy Fourth of July!
The Cubs are back at Wrigley Field for the first time since June 22 and kickoff a four-game homestand with the first of three with the Reds on Independence Day.
The Cubs could really use a strong finish to what is called the first half of the baseball season. The Cubs have seven games left before the All-Star break with four at Wrigley and three at PNC Park with the Pirates.
Kyle Hendricks gets the ball today in what will be his final start before the break. Hendricks faces rookie lefty Cody Reed in a rematch of the finale at Great American Ball Park last Wednesday. The Cubs were really unhappy with the Reds with the way the series ended. The Reds hit Kris Bryant on purpose in what was a Bush League move. The Cubs will retaliate at some point over the next three days after a game is well in hand. With the way the Cubs have played of late, wins are more important than plunking a player on a last place team.
The Cubs have not dropped five games in a row this season and must snap their longest skid of the season this afternoon.
After today’s matchup of Hendricks and Reed, John Lackey is scheduled to face lefty Brandon Finnegan on Tuesday (1:20pm CDT). The series wraps with Adam Warren making his first start of the season against right-hander Anthony DeSclafani (Wednesday, 1:20pm CDT). The Cubs have struggled with Finnegan and DeSclafani and must not allow either young starter to get comfortable on the mound at Wrigley.
The Cubs are 9-1 in the first 10 games of the season series with the Reds.
Today all starts with Kyle Hendricks …
Kyle Hendricks looks to finish his first half of his season on a positive note. Hendricks is not scheduled to make another start after today until the first game following the All-Star break. Hendricks will be available out of the bullpen toward the end of the week.
Hendricks beat the Reds his last time out. Hendricks gave his skipper exactly what was needed the day after ‘The Maddon Game.’ Hendricks completed 6 2/3 innings and allowed two runs on eight hits with two walks and five strikeouts. The Cubs won the games 9-2.
The Cubs will need more of the same from Hendricks this afternoon.
Hendricks is 3-2 in his last six starts with a 2.50 ERA and 1.17 WHIP. And he’s 4-1 in seven starts at Wrigley Field with a 1.93 ERA and 0.81 WHIP.
Kyle Hendricks faces the Reds for the second time on the season this afternoon. For his career, Hendricks is 2-1 in six starts versus the Reds with a 4.04 ERA and 1.29 WHIP.
Reds Career Numbers against Kyle Hendricks
- Tucker Barnhart: 4-for-14 with one double and two walks
- Joey Votto: 4-for-6 with two home runs and five walks
- Eugenio Suarez: 2-for-10 with one double
- Jay Bruce: 1-for-9
- Billy Hamilton: 0-for-5
- Zack Cozart: 0-for-3
- Tyler Holt: 0-for-4
- Ivan DeJesus: 1-of-3
- Adam Duvall: 2-for-3 with one home run
- Jose Peraza: 1-for-3
- Cody Reed: 0-for-1
The Cubs get their second look at lefty Cody Reed this afternoon. The Cubs had a lot of success against the southpaw last week in Cincinnati. It will be interesting to see if the Cubs will be able to adjust to Reed’s new game plan. Or, if Reed’s adjustments will get the best of the Cubs.
Reed’s last start came against the Cubs and Kyle Hendricks. The Cubs jumped on Reed, scored three runs in the first inning on Anthony Rizzo’s inside-the-park home run and never looked back
Cody Reed makes just his second road start today. Reed made his Major League debut in Houston back on June 18 and allowed four runs on six hits with three walks and nine strikeouts in seven innings.
Cubs numbers against Cody Reed from June 29: Kris Bryant (2-for-3), Anthony Rizzo (1-for-3 with one home run), Ben Zobrist (2-for-3), Albert Almora Jr. (1-for-2 with one home run), Javier Baez (1-for-2), Willson Contreras (1-for-2 with one double), Kyle Hendricks (0-for-2), Addison Russell (1-for-2 with one home run) and Matt Szczur (0-for-2)
Let’s Talk Cubs Baseball …