The Cincinnati Reds (63-95) will try to avoid being swept in their final home series of the year by the Chicago Cubs (93-65). The Reds are currently on a season high 11-game losing streak, which is their longest losing streak since 1998. The Reds now have the second worst record in baseball, only trailing the Philadelphia Phillies (61-97).
Programing Alert: today’s 12:35 game is not being televised by FSN-Ohio, but you can catch the Cubs broadcast on the MLB Network.
Starting Pitchers
John Lamb hasn’t got the results he has wanted, but he is striking out a ton of batters. If you were wondering just how good 10.40 K/9 exactly is, there are only five qualifying pitchers in the MLB with a K.9 of 10.00+ (Sale, Kershaw, Archer, Scherzer, and Carrasco). That certainly gives some optimism about Lamb moving into 2016.
Lamb had a terrific start against the Cardinals on the September 21st (6.0 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 6 K), but his last start was a disaster. On Saturday against the Mets, Lamb lasted just 2.0 innings, allowing 5 ER, including 2 HR. Things really fell apart early for Lamb, as he gave up grand slam in the first inning to Lucas Duda. I am sure Lamb would love to put that behind him, and finish 2015 on a high note.
This will be Lamb’s first career appearance against the Chicago Cubs.
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Jason Hammel has had a pretty solid year for the Cubs. His ERA and FIP are just above league average. Hammel would most likely pitch in Game 2 of the NLDS if the Cubs are able to get past the Pirates in the wild-card game.
Hammel has struggled in his career against the Reds. In 7 starts (8 games), Hammel has a 4.87 ERA. In three starts this season against the Reds, Hammel has a 4.20 ERA, with 12 K and 6 BB in 15.0 IP.
Most importantly, Votto is 4 for 20 with 3 BB in 20 career AB vs Hammel.
Starting Lineups
Votto and Frazier are back in the Reds lineup. Tyler Holt gets his second consecutive start in CF. Holt reached base twice in his Reds debut yesterday. Holt had a very impressive .416 OBP in 428 PA between AA and AAA last year, and had a .386 OBP in 431 PA in AAA this year.
Kris Bryant gets the day off for the Cubs, which has to make John Lamb happy. Javier Baez gets the start for the Cubs in his spot, and he is a guy to watch. Baez hit .350/.404/.560 against LHP at AAA this year.
| Cubs | Reds |
| 1. Dexter Fowler (CF) 2. Austin Jackson (RF) 3. Starlin Castro (2B) 4. Anthony Rizzo (1B) 5. Chris Denorfia (LF) 6. Javier Baez (3B) 7. Kyle Schwarber (C) 8. Jason Hammel (P) 9. Addison Russell (SS) |
1. Jason Bourgeois (LF) 2. Joey Votto (1B) 3. Brandon Phillips (2B) 4. Jay Bruce (RF) 5. Todd Frazier (3B) 6. Eugenio Suarez (SS) 7. Tucker Barnhart (C) 8. Tyler Holt (CF) 9. John Lamb (P) |
Joey?
Joey Votto’s 46-game on-base streak was put in limbo last night, after he was out of the lineup because of a muscle spasm. It may have been a good thing for Votto’s streak to get the night off against the tough left-handed pitching Jon Lester. Here are the numbers Joey is chasing:
1. Longest on-base streak in Reds history: Pete Rose currently holds the record at 48 (1978), while Votto is tied for the second longest streak at 46 with once again Pete Rose (1975).
2. Most times on base in a season in Reds history:
Joey Votto – 316 (2013)
Joey Votto – 313 (2015)
Pete Rose – 311 (1969)
3. Votto’s 46 game on-base streak is tied with Matt Holliday (2014) and Michael Cuddyer (2013). If Votto reaches base today, he would have the longest streak in the MLB since Kevin Millar (Red Sox) reached base in 52 consecutive games in 2007.
Reds losing streak in context
The Reds 11-game losing streak is currently tied for the sixth longest losing streak in club history. If the Reds lost today, they would crack the top 5. They would also tie the Braves for the longest losing streak in the MLB in 2015 (the Braves lost 12 straight in late August/early September).
Longest losing streaks in Reds history:
1. 19 losses – 1914
2. 16 losses – 1937
3. 13 losses – 1930, 1945
5. 12 losses – 1993
6. 11 losses – 1966, 1998, 2015
Sad Aroldis Chapman numbers
Today marks the two year anniversary of Aroldis Chapman not being used in the Reds do-or-die, one-game, single-elimination, wild-card game (thanks to @dlanzillotta for pointing this out!). In honor of that, here are some numbers about the Reds insanely poor usage of the Cuban Missile:
1. Aroldis Chapman has pitched 16 times (17.1 IP) in the last 52 games.
2. Since 2010, Sam LeCure has pitched more innings for the Reds than Aroldis Chapman (courtesy @thecvail).
Reds draft position rising
The combination of a Reds loss last night and a win by the Atlanta Braves put the Reds into position for the #2 draft spot in 2016. The Reds are almost certain of at least a top 3 draft pick, but they are only 2.0 games behind the Phillies for the #1 spot. So you can make a case that these final four games are actually pretty important for the Reds.
Concluding Thoughts
The Reds certainly don’t want to finish the season getting swept at home by the Cubs. That would not be good. Although a #1 draft pick sure looks good……Go Reds!