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 …

… as has Yasiel Puig …