Cubs at Reds – September 30, 2015

The Cincinnati Reds (63-94) will look to end their 10-game losing streak on Wednesday night against the Chicago Cubs (92-65). The Cubs won the opening game of the series 4-1 last night. The Reds offense has collected just six hits in the last two games.

Starting Pitchers

Anthony DeSclafani will make his final start for what has been a terrific 2015 season for the Reds. It is impressive enough that DeSclafani will make 31 starts and log over 180 innings in his first full season in the big leagues, but the fact that he has accomplished that while putting up an above average ERA and FIP is very impressive. DeSclafani will certainly be in the top of the Reds rotation in 2016.

DeSclafani’s start tonight will put him with Johnny Cueto (2008), Tom Browning (1985), and Gary Nolan (1967) as the only Reds rookies with 31 or more starts since 1922.

DeSclafani has been great for the season, but his last two starts have not been so great (10.2 IP, 17 H, 9 ER). Even in his recent struggles over his last two starts, he still didn’t walk a batter in either start, and only allowed 1 HR. Disco would certainly love to finish 2015 on a high note against a division rival.

DeSclafani has dominated the Cubs if four starts in 2015. He has a 1.88 ERA with 22 K and 8 BB in 24.0 IP.

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Jon Lester has turned a tough start to 2015 into a very good season. Lester had a 6.23 ERA in April, but has got that all the way down to 3.43. Lester did have a 2.22 FIP in April, which shows that he was likely just more unlucky than anything else.

Lester still strikes out a ton of batters (9.05 K/9), and features a fastball in the low 90s. He is coming off a solid start against the Pirates (6.0 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 0 BB, 6 K).

Lester had never faced the Reds before 2015, and he hasn’t done so well in three starts against the Reds this season. Lester has a 4.74 ERA in 19.0 IP, although he does have an impressive 18 K’s to just 1 BB. His last start against the Reds on June 14th was very good: 7.0 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 4 K.

Starting Lineups  

Joey’s streak still alive

Update (6:08 pm): Votto is out of the lineup tonight

Joey Votto went 0 for 3 through his first three trips to the plate last night, and his streak was in serious jeopardy. Votto got one more shot in the bottom of the ninth, and he walked on four pitches. That extended Votto’s on-base streak to 46 games. Votto is now just 2 games shy of tying Pete Rose’s Reds record of 48 consecutive games on base.

Votto is 2 for 9 in his career vs Lester, with 0 walks. All of those PA have come in 2015.

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Votto appeared to have been bothered by some sort of minor injury last night. Reds broadcaster Jeff Brantley had this to say about it: “Votto may have tweaked back or spasm. It’s just a very uncomfortable swing right now. Something is going on with Votto that’s not normal.” Reds manager Bryan Price said after the game that Ã¢â‚¬Å“He’s got a little muscular stuff in the back of the shoulder. It’s something he’s dealt with before. He wants to play” John Fay reported that Votto said “I’m fine” when asked about an injury.

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Here are some more Votto numbers:

1. Most times on base in a season in Reds history:

Joey Votto – 316 (2013)
Joey Votto – 313 (2015)
Pete Rose – 311 (1969)

2. Since Votto’s first season in the big leagues (2008), he has 8 of the 10 longest on-base streaks for the Reds.

3. Votto’s 46 game on-base streak is tied with Matt Holliday (2014) and Michael Cuddyer (2013). If Votto reaches base tonight, he would have the longest streak in the MLB since Kevin Millar (Red Sox) reached base in 52 consecutive games in 2007.

Around the MLB

Things are heating up in the AL West and AL Wild Card races. Here are the standings with five days left in the season.

Also, I know we are supposed to hate the Cardinals, and I do my fair share of that. However, you have to applaud Adam Wainwright. He was activated today for the Cardinals, and will be used in the bullpen for the rest of the season and the postseason. Wainwright was supposed to miss the entire season with a torn Achilles, but he has made a miraculous recover to pitch gain in 2015.

Concluding Thoughts

Let’s Go Joey! Keep that streak going! Oh, and I guess go Reds too….