Scooter’s back, and he’s in the starting lineup!
The #Reds have activated IF Scooter Gennett from the 60-day injured list and placed C Tucker Barnhart on the 10-day injured list (right oblique strain). pic.twitter.com/7KAFSiwBsr
— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) June 28, 2019
The Reds second baseman spoke with the media before the game.
This also means we can expect Curt Casali to get a shot at starting several days in a row. Kyle Farmer now serves as the backup catcher, but he hasn’t seen time at that position since spring training.
At 36-42, the Reds are probably right about where they should be. There was some worry that the home team would never be able to put together a streak that could counteract the 1-8 start. The recent six-game winning streak almost did that, so if you subtract their hottest and coldest streaks of the season, the Reds record would be 29-34.
Tonight’s opener of a three-game series at Great American Ball Park against the Chicago Cubs also represents the first of nine straight home games. The fact that the Reds are at home bodes well, because they have played over .500 at home this year (19-17). But the fact that the nine games are all against teams that are above .500 does not bode well, because the Reds’ record against such opponents is 24-30.
Anything less than a 6-3 record over these nine games probably means the Reds will emerge from the All-Star break as sellers instead of buyers. It is always nice for fans to dream about a sudden surge that propels their team into the thick of the playoff chase. But let’s face it, coming out of the All-Star break five or more games under .500 does not bode well for an eventual playoff berth.
Game time tonight is 7:10 p.m. Eastern time.
Starting Pitchers
Name | IP | ERA | xFIP | K% | BB% |
Cole Hamels | 98.2 | 2.92 | 4.00 | 23.7% | 8.4% |
Sonny Gray | 76.0 | 4.03 | 3.62 | 26.7% | 9.7% |
Hamels is 11-1 lifetime against the Reds with a 1.91 ERA. In other words, dominating. He is the first of three straight lefties the Cubs will throw at Cincinnati this weekend. Gray has had a difficult June, allowing 20 hits and nine walks in 20 innings, for a 1.45 WHIP and a 5.40 ERA.
Bullpen
All members of the Reds bullpen should be available today after Thursday’s off day. The Cubs have a new guy named Kimbrel available, and he already picked up a save in his first appearance of the year Thursday.
Starting Lineups
Cubs | Reds |
LF Kyle Schwarber | CF Nick Senzel |
3B Kris Bryant | 1B Joey Votto |
1B Anthony Rizzo | 3B Eugenio Suarez |
SS Javier Baez | RF Yasiel Puig |
C Willson Contreras | SS Jose Iglesias |
RF Jason Heyward | 2B Scooter Gennett |
2B Addison Russell | LF Phillip Ervin |
CF Albert Almora Jr. | P Sonny Gray |
P Cole Hamels | C Curt Casali |
Additional insights into the statistical history of the players in today’s game is available all season long at BaseballSavant.com.
News and Notes
Taylor Trammell will play in the Futures Game for the second straight year …
? Taylor Trammell is ready to rock again! ?
The 2018 MLB All-Star #FuturesGame MVP returns in 2019 for the National League team!@Taytram24 | #RedsMiLB pic.twitter.com/gNLAzLNFu1
— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) June 28, 2019
The Reds today released a former top pitching prospect, 2012 1st round pick Nick Travieso.
The Cincinnati #Reds have released 2012 1st round pick Nick Traviesohttps://t.co/FlEC7vY5Jj pic.twitter.com/66D9xATFwe
— Doug Gray (@dougdirt24) June 28, 2019