Hope always springs eternal after a win over the Cubs, doesn’t it?
The Reds are now only 5.5 games out of first place in the NL Central, and only 4.5 games out of a wild-card berth as they prepare for game two of a three-game weekend series against Chicago. Manager David Bell is going with the same lineup and batting order as he did Friday night, with the exception of the starting pitcher, of course.
Game time today at Great American Ball Park is 4:10 p.m. Eastern time.
Starting Pitchers
| Name | IP | ERA | xFIP | K% | BB% |
| Jose Quintana | 88 | 4.50 | 4.40 | 19.5% | 7.6% |
| Luis Castillo | 91.1 | 2.56 | 3.77 | 28.9% | 13% |
In home games, Castillo has a 2.01 ERA this season. He has shown flashes of dominance this year but must correct the lack of control he has shown recently. The walk rate is high, as well as falling behind batters as a general pattern. Lefthander Quintana has had a difficult June, surrendering 30 hits and 10 walks in 25.1 innings, to go with a 6.39 ERA.
Bullpen
Michael Lorenzen pitched the final 1.2 innings Friday night, and may or may not be available. He has not been used much recently, so he shouldn’t be tired or feel overworked. He’s becoming a top late-game option before our eyes. Now, if Raisel Iglesias could get things straightened out, the 2019 Reds could have their own version of the Nasty Boys with Lorenzen, Iglesias and Amir Garrett.
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 Jose Quintana | C Curt Casali |
Like Bell, Cubs Manager Joe Maddon is also going with the same lineup and batting order as he did Friday night.
Additional insights into the statistical history of the players in today’s game is available all season long at BaseballSavant.com.
News and Notes
Joey Votto has reversed his early-season struggles at the plate …
Joey Votto’s last 27 games: .366/.440/.564, 4 HR, 161 wRC+, 1.1 fWAR #Reds
— ???? ????y (@Nicholaspkirby) June 29, 2019
The 2 hitters with a higher OBP in the same span: Pittsburgh’s Bryan Reynolds (.450) and Mike Trout (.443). #Reds https://t.co/HhOMH1BVmx
— Bobby Nightengale (@nightengalejr) June 29, 2019
… as has Yasiel Puig …
Yasiel Puig OPS by month:
March: .125
April: .615
May: .737
June: .979#Reds— ???? ????y (@Nicholaspkirby) June 29, 2019