The Cincinnati Reds will look to Luis Castillo tonight to help them avoid losing the series after dropping the first two games of the 4-game set to Chicago. The Cubs will lean on Kyle Hendricks tonight to try and guarantee a winning series. First pitch is set for 6:40pm ET.
Starting Lineups
Here are the lineups for tonight’s NL Central contest:
Chicago Cubs
|
Cincinnati Reds
|
| Christopher Morel – 2B | Tyler Naquin – DH |
| Rafael Ortega – CF | Brandon Drury – 2B |
| Seiya Suzuki – RF | Tommy Pham – LF |
| Ian Happ – LF | Joey Votto – 1B |
| Frank Schwindel – DH | Mike Moustakas – 3B |
| Patrick Wisdom – 3B | Nick Senzel – CF |
| Alfonso Rivas – 1B | Aristides Aquino – RF |
| P.J. Higgins – C | Aramis Garcia – C |
| Andrelton Simmons – SS | Matt Reynolds – SS |
| Kyle Hendricks – SP | Luis Castillo – SP |
Starting Pitchers
| Pitcher | IP | ERA | WHIP | BB | K |
| Luis Castillo | 15.2 | 4.60 | 1.15 | 4 | 12 |
| Kyle Hendricks | 49.2 | 4.89 | 1.33 | 17 | 35 |
| Links: Luis Castillo’s Stats | Kyle Hendrick’s Stats |
|||||
Luis Castillo
After missing the first month of the season, Luis Castillo has made three starts for Cincinnati. For the most part he’s pitched well. His last time out he allowed two runs in Toronto, walked no one, and he struck out five batters, but took the loss as the Reds managed just one run in the game.
Splits
| Split | PA | H | 2B | 3B | HR | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| RHH | 33 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | .152 | .152 | .212 |
| LHH | 31 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 4 | .333 | .419 | .630 |
Pitch Usage
| 4-Seam | 2-Seam | Slider | Change | |
| Velo | 95.6 | 95.4 | 85.4 | 86.9 |
| Usage | 17.0% | 35.8% | 15.1% | 32.1% |
Kyle Hendricks
The splits for Kyle Hendricks this season are pretty big. Left-handed hitters have hit him quite well, posting an .899 OPS on the year while making plenty of contract and drawing walks at a good rate, too. He’s limited damage against righties fairly well, who only have a .670 OPS against him. Teams have stacked their lineups with lefties against him on the season and it’s worked out so far.
Splits
| Split | PA | H | 2B | 3B | HR | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| RHH | 82 | 18 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 13 | .234 | .281 | .390 |
| LHH | 130 | 31 | 6 | 0 | 8 | 13 | 22 | .274 | .359 | .540 |
Pitch Usage
| 4-Seam | 2-Seam | Change | Curve | |
| Velo | 87.0 | 86.7 | 80.0 | 73.2 |
| Usage | 30.2% | 28.6% | 29.3% | 11.9% |
When and Where
- Game time: 6:40pm ET
- Where: Great American Ball Park
- Watch: Bally Sports Ohio, MLB.tv
- Listen: 700 WLW AM (Cincinnati area)
- Forecast: 72°, scattered thunderstorms, 40% chance of rain
News and Notes
Jeff Hoffman could be in line for a bigger role
Bobby Nightengale of the Cincinnati Enquirer wrote about Jeff Hoffman and how his role in the bullpen could change due to how well he’s pitched this season. The righty reliever has a 1.59 ERA this season with 23 strikeouts in 22.2 innings and just one home run allowed.
Stephenson injured?
Good question.
He’s played six days in a row. Probably just an off day against a guy who pitches better against righties.
0-2 in the series, bench your best bat. Makes sense.
I thought that was one of the things the DH was for. Give your best hitter a day off without sacrificing his bat.
But it’s not a day off. And it’s not like Tyler Naquin isn’t raking against righties (and this particular righty pitches way better against other righties)
I would just think there would be a way for both of them to hit. They are two of our best this year and we’re struggling to score runs on a regular bases. I guess I’m kind of in the camp that if a professional athlete can’t swing a bat and run some bases and then play the next day he’s probably not going to last long anyway. I don’t believe TS is that fragile. Catchers usually aren’t. As a matter of fact I would think to most catchers being a DH would be nothing to them. I’m pretty sure Johnny Bench would.
@Melvin, yep Stephenson is hitting .324 w/a .904 OPS again RH’ers. Naquin, .287 w/an 886. So, I’d like to see them both in the game. Votto? .125 w/a .483 though historically he has hit Hendricks well. Oh, well, probably won’t matter.
With Aquino being hot I was thinking Senzel being out instead.
Well yes, it does. This is a meaningless game in a season whose only meaning is sorting. Stephenson is one of their best young players and plays the most demanding position. He’s had a recent concussion and, as Jim Walker pointed out, has looked a little off in the past few games.
Hendricks has hit hard for lefties but Bell just included 3 of them in the lineup benching Morán and Lopez for activating Aquino. By the way, Aquino struggles against off speed offerings being this the Hendricks strength…
Not saying I agree with it…. but Aquino has crushed Hendricks when they’ve faced off.
AA hit a ball hard last night against a righty in his only at bat. There is a lot to be said of keeping a hot bat in the lineup. I agree with him playing at this time.
I’m just going to watch because Brooks Robinson is playing 3rd again..
That’s funny … but I really should award negative points because it hits too close to the truth. 🙂
ooh, ugly flashback to 1970 world series.
Brooks killed the Reds, hoovering everything hit on the ground to the left side.
Okay, maybe just what was hit to third but have I mentioned that he killed the Reds in that WS?
He sure did. I truly believe Reds win that Series if Brooks wasn’t playing third.
Tomorrow is a 1235 start so lots of rest for guys.
OF competition is right there with bullpen for sorting.
Jobs are open. I’m watching both.
Castellanos and Winker dont play for the Reds anymore.
Kyle Farmer??? Anyone??? Farmer??? Bueller???
Sadak and “Lark” dressed for a funeral. I wonder what they know?
Would love to see Barrero.Got to believe he could help us.Maybe another 10 games or so and we do see him.
Let’s god Reds, great lineup for a victory!! Woot Woot,
if we are going to win this series this is the game…. lineup is unfavorable, beleiving that Farmer is hurt and they are just out of people to bring up
Just curious what you guys think about approaching Tyler Naquin about a contract extension. (Not us at Redleg Nation, but the front office.) He will be a free agent after this year. He’s been productive, but is probably not going to be in the upper tier of free agents. .810 OPS since he’s been with the Reds. He’s someone I think they should keep around.
It’s not like he’s blocking anybody.
Doug will correct me if I’m wrong, but the system is probably at least a year or two away from producing a major-league ready outfield prospect. And even if there was someone ready right now, this team lacks impact outfielders (and hitters in general).
I like the idea. I feel he is a solid outfielder who produces and hits for average.
I agree Tom. Right now he is the only guy producing. They don’t have anybody really on the horizon for next year. I would sign him for 2 or 3 years.
He’s a little injury prone but has been healthy for the most part lately. I’ll let you know near the end of the year.
Probably not a bad move, but I’d wager they’ll try and trade him if he continues to produce.
Pass. He can’t hit LH’ers and last year was the most games he’d ever played in a season. Got to be better ways to spend the FA dollars.
Lol . Better ways at spending free agent dollars. You do remember who is running this team , right?
I’m the eternal optimist
Tom
Not sure if your read my post earlier today but I posed the same question
Hes a solid affordable lefty power bat who can play all 3 OF positions in a pinch
Well, here we go again.
I like these 6:40 starts. We usually know the winner by 7p.m.
I may not Clete … but I’m thinking I’ll only casually follow the game if this garbage persists.
Perhaps I need to find a game on MiLB.tv to watch. Something with a nifty mascot or two.
Can you get the Bats?
Yes, but you don’t want to watch the game they played today when they lost 19-0 and then released two players after the game.
YIKES!!!
I can get any of the games playing at the moment. The entire MiLB spread. All it cost me was $25.
Dang that’s brutal.
Ian Happ Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame.
He and Schwarber just kill us. Thankfully, we only face the one tonight.
It is like Happ is John Wick and the Reds killed his dog.
+500
Two walks here in the first inning. When and how did Reds pitchers forget how to throw strikes? Reds pitching is averaging 4.52 walks per nine innings, worst in baseball by a ton. Next to last is Washington at 3.98 walks per 9. One of the many mysteries of the 2022 Reds.
This is awfully familiar…. can we at least make this a little faster then yesterday
Barons at Lookouts is just starting.
We have a pitching staff that either A) does not know to throw strikes or B) is afraid to pitch to contact!
But But But…. I thought this game was over
Thanks, Joey. That helps.
OK, we’ve satisfied the One Run Reds Rule!
Raining sideways in Mason at present.
Kings Island open yet?
Yeah, about a month ago. Mid-April. 50th anniversary.
Gonna make my annual trip from Central Florida to Northern Kentucky tomorrow! Trying to decide whether to take in a Reds game or a Louisville Bats game. Last year I did both! Parking at GABP is awful while surface parking is readily available at the Bats field.
I haven’t been to a Reds game in person, but I can’t believe parking is a big problem this year. 😉
When I do go, I park at the public garage in Covington and walk across the bridge to the park.
Good suggestion Tom! That’s what we used to do back in the days of Riverfront stadium!
If you don’t mind walking a couple of blocks you can always find a spot downtown after 5:00. Right around the library on Walnut usually offered plenty of spaces. Also there is a cheap parking lot underneath fountain square.
Thanks for the parking tips Votto4life!
McClain just hit a moon shot off the CF wall for a double to drive in the first run of the game.
LC got it back together
Nice to see flashes of vintage Castillo. 😉
64 pitches in, but he got Happ looking (thanks to that rather generous call a little earlier).
Going to take plenty of crooked numbers and some bullpen work tonight.
Crooked number for you!
Pham Tie Bam SWANG
Birmingham pitcher loaded them up and walked in a run. Nooga up 2-0 in the first.
Wait … WHAT???
This 40-year-old hit a triple!!!!!!!! VOTTO on cycle watch
Votto triple? I wouldn’t believe it if I didn’t see it!
Votto a home run and a triple. Thought he couldn’t hit…
He has the tough parts of the cycle through three innings.
Three words that prove we’re living on the edge of the apocalypse …
Joey Votto Triples!!!
Hahahaha
There is some crazy number about how long it’s been since a Red hit for a cycle. I think it was Eric Davis in the 80s.
you would be correct 88 if i remember correctly
Votto probably has 3 more at bats to get it.
Not if he was hitting down in the order and batting orders didn’t matter. 🙂
There’s no Eric Davis caliber player on this team. If only Votto could hit other pitchers as well as he’s hit Hendricks traditionally.
Johnathan India can be that “Eric Davis” type of player. Nick Senzel can be.
And Votto has done something right in his career.
I saw Davis play a couple of times in the 80s, Votto when he was younger, and the BRM. Davis, particularly between 1986 & 1987 was one of the best players I’ve ever seen in a Reds uniform. Morgan, Bench, Foster, Votto – great players all but not quite on par. India or Senzel? Not going to happen.
Nooga just pushed 2 more across. Up 4-0 now. Still 2 out in the bottom of the first.
McLain’s second AB he walked to push across ANOTHER run. Lookouts up 6-0 and we’re not quite done with the first yet.
OK, now we’re done.
Thats why I cannot do minor league games…. in the majors there is an occasional one that gets out of hand. In the minors it seems to be a regular basis
We need to meet up over in Durham or Zebulon. Then we’d have something to do if/when a game got out of hand.
true
Wife hijacked the TV for survival final episode
Keep me posted with specifics
My wife is watching it as well. 🙂
Survivor 42 final episode
Im out
Go reds
Someone earlier joked about watching Brooks Robinson at third base. Moose actually has made two nice plays!
Who else felt the earth shake on that diving catch by Moose.
So is Joey Votto getting ready to serve the crow out to a lot of people again? 🙂 Could be he’s getting close.
He has certainly looked more like the second half Votto from last year than the struggle bus Votto from April. I want to see an extended run but this is a really good start. Can we at least stop with the “Please retire Joey” comments?
Nope. Not going to say it. Not saying anything.
Painted the corner with that one. Nice job, Luis!!
It will be interesting to see if he comes back out in the sixth at 95 pitches.
2 outs nobody on….shouldn’t Moose be on the line in an anti-double position? Might’ve missed it anyway, but you always want the ball you miss to be to your left (single) and not your right (double) there.
Moustakas having a pretty good night with the glove. That doesn’t make him the Reds best option at 3rd (that’s probably Drury or Farmer or Senzel) but maybe he’s not the total disaster there that has been suggested. If he holds down 3rd until Barrero returns and takes over SS – right David Bell? – then Drury or Farmer or Senzel and even a little Mike Moustakas can handle third base nicely.
Votto with 7 total bases and 3 RBI in two at bats. He’s hitting .333 since his return from the Covid list and slugging .760. Can we stop with the “Votto needs to retire” thread please? I’m all for playing the young guys. But I’m even more for playing the good guys!
Finally – more Luis Castillo please. Rough first inning but after that he looked really good tonight. Go Reds!
It’s been a week, 6-18, don’t get ahead of yourself.
I’m not overreacting to a handful of good games. I just get frustrated with the quick hook so many seem to have here for guys who’ve proven they can play. Just look at last year’s start and the way it finished. I want to see him sustain this strong return of course, but one terrible month isn’t enough to write him off entirely either.
Last year he knocked the cover off the ball if the pitcher was RH’d. Lefties had his number. I’d be less critical if he’d quit swinging for the fences and go back to making contact and putting the ball in place. And Bell should be sitting him against LH’ers.
There are a lot–a lot–of good MLB hitters who have big handedness splits. Jesse Winker, for example. That’s why platoons were devised. Of course the unusual hitters who are unaffected by the handedness of the pitcher are valuable. Good luck finding a team of them unless you’re happy with guys who can’t hit any pitchers, right or left-handed.
If the Reds had any outfield bats, I’d strongly consider moving Senzel to third.
Senzel is putting on a clinic in center, though. Definitely saving runs with his glove.
Moustakas has made 2 plays tonight. So now we forget all the plays he didn’t? This fan base is starving for any kind of success. Let’s not go overboard because he made 2 plays that every 3rd baseman basically makes.
I’m right with you. I’m certainly not convinced. Plus, Father Time says he won’t get better as the clock and calendar move forward.
Did you read my post? I haven’t forgotten anything, and rank him 4th or 5th on the 3rd base depth chart. I was just pointing out that he’s “not a disaster”. Motter, for example, was a disaster.
McClain’s 3rd AB – struck out looking
Gotta walk that lead-off guy …
I’d consider walking Happ intentionally, but I think Santillan may go ahead and do it anyway unintentionally.
He didn’t.
I still think moving senzel opens up center for Almora or friedl. I truly believe if he stays healthy rest of year Senzel will be a 300 hitter.
He just made a super-nice play. That’s becoming a daily occurrence.
We have alot of good defensive outfielders. Now we just need some of them to hit .
Senzel a 300 hitter? Maybe we can dare to hope he will be a 300 OBP guy. But he’s not going to be a 300 hitter short of a demotion to L’ville.
Santillan not sharp, but got thru it.
Darn it. Joey probably will only get 1 more at bat.
Bases loaded triple and the Barons are striking back in the 5th. Nobody out yet.
Ouch..
New pitcher on for Nooga. Score now 6-4 with 1 out.
Nasty pitch Diaz.
Lindsay got voted out
Looks like I didnt miss anything
Ah yes Givens forgot about him. Y they resign him is a mystery. Just like when they had Bradley
Nice inning by Diaz.
Barons stalled in the 6th. Lookouts still up 7-4.
Who is going to close today? Hoffman?
Maybe! (I hope not.) 😉
Weirdest play … ever in Chattanooga.
3B deflected it, McClain threw too late, but the guy fell off the base and got tagged ont he butt. Ump said he was out. Can’t make that up.
Fell off the base?
Yep. Right on his face with feet about 6+ inches away. Apparently that’s a “move toward 2nd”.
That’s hilarious
Bell better go back to A Warren or J Hoffman to close out the 9th to win this game. If he goes with Hunter Strickland to close out this game, Cubs will either tie the game or go ahead of the Reds, just my opinion…
Wll I am afraid I have some bad news
Barry Larkin – “It definitely hit the ground. Just a question of if his glove was underneath it.”
Larkin is a smart guy but if it hit the ground then his glove couldn’t have been underneath it….unless I’m going nuts myself. 🙂
Lol I thought the same.
Broadcasting just isn’t one of Barry’s strengths.
I think he’d be better at managing. 🙂
Sadak is as blind as a bat. That ball clearly bounced off the ground and into Suzuki’s glove. No way that was a catch.
Right! The one view showed it clearly hit the ground. The guy is terrible.
Just on that comment alone by Sadek tells me all I need to know about his incompetence….if you can’t clearly see that ball hitting the grass ….you are blind
90% chance of rain tomorrow afternoon. I really wanted to see Hunter Greene pitch. Maybe I will wait until Saturday and see the Reds and Giants. I think it is Tyler Stephenson bobble head night as well.
I’m waiting on the Motter bobblehead night.
JB, You know it’s coming lol
Votto is pissed…. yelling at wick… i would too, clearly not allowing…hold on, wick used a special word there
Just, for the love of God, leave his dog alone!
Did he tell him to “Shut the eff up!!” ???
something to that extent yes
Wick?
Battle of the Canadians!
and that does count as a SB for Moose
Interesting … Hunter Strickland on for the save against 5-6-7 in the Cubs order.
McClain with a lead-off single in the B6th. Still up 7-4.
Can anyone explain the bullpen formula tonight? We have literally seen Satallin, Diaz, and Warren close. Yet tonight we have Strickland closing.
Truly wish bell used a Warren Satallin, and Diaz in that order. To close out games. Prolly your best 3 relief pitchers. Add Hoffman as he is doing well this year
Whether it works or not, using Strickland in this situation makes zero sense.
I think the formula is probably try different guys in different roles to see who can do what, if anything. Throw socks at the wall to see which ones stick. And don’t wear those.
OK I like Strickland now. Standing up for Joey.
How can David Ross think Strickland hit the batter on purpose to then bring the tying run to the plate?
Not likely. hahaha
Because wins don’t really matter???
Remember when the Pirates would throw at our guys all the time?
I see we are using strickland in the “just incase he gets ejected role”
Wisdom giving Warren the stink-eye
I meant Strickland.
I have a distaste for the stink eye.
My mother-in-law OWNS the stink-eye.
Is it possible to be ejected twice? If so, then David Ross just qualified for it.
No light banter over there in Employee #19’s office, is there?
Hoffman is the only available realistic option at this point and it would take him too long to get ready. I don’t like this
So here we go … second-guessing of Bell will be supreme if Strickland can’t save it.
Strickland has a 1.93 ERA in May but those 14 and now 15 walks in 16 innings is not good. Not something you want a closer to have anyway. But hey we like to be on the edge of our seats.
The Cubs sure are a salty bunch considering that they won the first two games in this series.
Wow wow wow Senzel!
Good catch by Senzel. Not easy.
It may work out with Strickland but it makes no sense to me.If you are going to use 4 relievers an inning a piece he isn’t the guy to pitch the last inning in a save situation.Its been 4-2 since the 3rd inning so Bell had plenty of time to line up his pen after Castillo goes 5 innings.
Yep, totally agree
The only thing I make of it is that they have a ton of back-to-back games, they are trying to keep the good ones to one a go. I would like to see Hoffman get some looks in late-game hold/save situations as well. Was a mistake to put hunter in there.
Bell has never figured out how to manage a bullpen. Comical at this point.
Very much Comical
Yeah … Strickland’s got this … completely dialed in … 😮
Nice work by Senzel, saving a little of Strickland’s bacon
Credit Senzel with the save. 😉
I agree. 🙂
Never a doubt
This one, a nail biter to be sure, Votto goes off… great job by the reds
This Reds bullpen is not for the weak of heart!
A bit of a mystery since the Red’s pitching coach has usually been regarded as one of the best.
But he can’t make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear.
Reds win. But….that was close. Good thing they had a two run lead. Would NOT trust Strickland to close out games, just saying…
HBP, walk, a, hit, and 2 very hard hit balls.
Please don’t ever use Strickland in that spot again.
Amen and +1,000
Senzel for defensive MVP tonight.Dude is an athlete and can go get em.
I used to say this about Dusty which seems like years and years ago but we won despite Bell and to take it even farther we had to get Strickland going.It worked and the Reds win.So glad none of us knew in advance who was going to close.
I remember Roger, someone on here dubbed it “the Dusty tax”. Winning in spite of all of Dusty’s machinations.
Tried to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory but didn’t pull it off. See you all tomorrow afternoon (or most of you).
I do think reds have a 7th, 8th, and 9th inning guy if Bell would do that.. Satallin, Warren and Diaz. Then you add Hoffman. I dunno sounds good to me lol
Game wrapup story posted: https://www.redlegnation.com/2022/05/25/votto-homers-triples-drives-in-3-in-reds-4-3-win-over-cubs/ (includes Mark Moore reference) 😉
The comments in these game threads–some of them–are good illustrations of how hard it is to predict what’s going to happen in a ball game BEFORE it happens. This, of course, is what managers have to do. “It worked in spite of the manager” is weak. Weak.