Well, here we are in fourth place with a losing record. Just like we thought at the beginning of the season, right? The Reds have been streaky all year, already with two four-plus game winning streaks and losing streaks. Votto continues to be Votto and Cozart is building on last year's solid season, but the WAR leader on the team is none other than Pat Hughes favorite Eugenio Suarez, who also leads the team in defensive numbers. Overall the team leads all of baseball in team defense, after finishing sixth in the category last year. Despite some early season signs of life, their starting pitching is once again worst in the league by FIP but their bullpen has taken a huge step forward, going from worst in the league to solidly above average.
Team Leaders
Reds
- OBP: Zack Cozart (.432)
- ISO: Joey Votto (.291)
- HR: Votto / Scott Schebler (10)
- R+RBI: Votto (60)
- wRC+: Cozart (157)
- BSR: Billy Hamilton (4.4)
- SP K/9: Brandon Finnegan (12.60)
- SP BB/9: Tim Adleman (2.63)
- SP FIP: Finnegan (2.91)
- RP K/9: Wandy Peralta (12.38)
- RP BB/9: Austin Brice (0.00)
- RP FIP: Peralta (1.82)
- WAR: Eugenio Suarez (1.7)
Cubs
- OBP: Kris Bryant (.401)
- ISO: Bryant (.248)
- HR: Bryant (7)
- R+RBI: Bryant (41)
- wRC+: Bryant (147)
- BSR: Jon Jay (2.4)
- SP K/9: Jake Arrieta (9.87)
- SP BB/9: John Lackey (2.36)
- SP FIP: Jon Lester (3.65)
- RP K/9: Carl Edwards Jr (12.91)
- RP BB/9: Brian Duensing (1.13)
- RP FIP: Wade Davis (1.38)
- WAR: Bryant (1.4)
Injuries, transactions, vengeance pacts, etc.
The better question right now is who isn't injured for the Cubs. Bryant missed most of the last series with flu-like symptoms, and Zobrist and Jay are both dealing with back spasms. Addison Russell missed some time with a sore shoulder, and it sounds like Heyward won't be back when his DL stint expires during this series.
Aside from guys with long term injuries like Bailey and DeSclefani, the Reds have a few notable players banged up. Cozart missed a few games last weekend with wrist soreness, and Tony Cingrani is out with an oblique strain.
Pitching Matchups
K%, BB%, ERA, projected ERA listed for each starter
Tuesday: Bronson Arroyo, LOL (16.0%, 7.1%, 5.94, 5.94) vs John Lackey (25.3%, 6.0%, 4.29, 3.67), 7:05 PM CT
Bronson Arroyo had to come back this year to remind everyone that he is the most infuriating pitcher in the league to shut your team down. He did worse than I remembered (giving up two runs) in his last start against the Cubs, but anything less than six off of him feels like a disappointment.
Wednesday: Scott Feldman, RHP (17.8%, 8.9%, 3.59, 4.79) vs Kyle Hendricks, RHP (21.0%, 9.9%, 3.40, 3.42), 7:05 PM CT
It's too bad this couldn't have been a Feldman-Arrieta matchup. With Steve Clevenger catching. It's hard to believe that a guy with a 5.60 K/9 is in his thirteenth season in the bigs, but here we are.
Hendricks has looked more like himself in his last few starts, which is great to see. His velocity is still down and he's still walking a lot more than he used to, but at least he's back to being a useful pitcher again.
Thursday: Lisalverto Bonilla, RHP (20.8%, 9.4%, 4.85, 4.57) vs Jon Lester, LHP (24.6%, 10.1%, 3.45, 3.23), 1:20 PM CT
The Cubs saw Bonilla in the last Reds series after they shelled Cody Reed out of the game by the third inning. Bonilla pitched five innings in relief, giving up four additional runs. He came up to make a spot start against the Giants last week and pitched a complete game loss, giving up three runs including two solo shots.
Comments
Hard to see the Cubs not take 2/3. If the Cubs somehow lose this series, I will officially panic.
EdwinQuote Reply
Edwin,
Until we see anyone other than Bryant contribute offensively on a consistent basis, I think this team will be lucky to win any series.
dmick89Quote Reply
To-day’s base ball squadron
LF Schwarber
RF Bryant
1B Rizzo
CF Happ
3B Candelario
SS Russell
C Contreras
P Lackey
2B Baez
BerseliusQuote Reply
Berselius,
I thought Happ was more of a corner OF/2B type of player? Odd to see him get a nod in CF.
EdwinQuote Reply
Edwin,
Same. Maybe Almora is banged up too or something,
BerseliusQuote Reply
I guess the last couple seasons the Cubs have been pretty fine throwing out players wherever they want. Maybe it’s just Joe being Joe. When you have the type of early season division lead the Cubs have, you can afford to experiment with your team.
EdwinQuote Reply
I think Happ has played a little CF or they’ve talked about it anyway. It’s pretty easy for a 2nd baseman to move to CF, especially if he’s used to catching fly balls.
dmick89Quote Reply
OK, in this weather, the Cubs should hit at least four home runs against Arroyo.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Gonna be a long game
Berselius is too lazy to loginQuote Reply
Another first inning run. This is my surprised face.
PerkinsQuote Reply
I guess the Cubs figured out Arroyo is bad.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Willson! Also, damn ivy.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Cubs are going to need to put up a lot of runs tonight.
PerkinsQuote Reply
Schwarber!
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Didn’t need the wind for that one
Berselius is too lazy to loginQuote Reply
Why does Willson appeal to the first base umpire when he’s hitting?
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Crap.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Send that bum Schwarber to Iowa and make Happ the LF my frents
Berselius is too lazy to loginQuote Reply
Why didn’t Maddon challenge there?
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Rizzo the Rat,
Looked like that one wasn’t enough of a slam dunk to me
Berselius is too lazy to loginQuote Reply
Berselius is too lazy to login,
I guess. It’s a shame, because it was probably a double play.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Screw the closer fellas
Berselius is too lazy to loginQuote Reply
Time for Candelario to get off the schneid here.
Berselius is too lazy to loginQuote Reply
I love these Reds!
Jeimer is due to crush one into that jet stream.
ceruleanQuote Reply
Bah.
ceruleanQuote Reply
I think this Ian Happ character might be okay.
ceruleanQuote Reply
cerulean,
Maybe Peraza’s nickname is Jet Stream.
Berselius is too lazy to loginQuote Reply
Ugh. Re-screw the closer, please.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Russell screwed the Goose Egg chance for Enderman.
The official term for that is a *meh*.
ceruleanQuote Reply
Thanks, Addy and Riz.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Rizzo wants to play too!
ceruleanQuote Reply
It’s raining baseballs
Berselius is too lazy to loginQuote Reply
On a day like this, this almost feels like a save spot.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Inverted M
Berselius is too lazy to loginQuote Reply
http://obstructedview.net/cubs-9-reds-5-5-16-17/
berseliusQuote Reply