After a series win in San Francisco, the Cincinnati Reds (25-47) try to carry that momentum into a three game series against division rivals Chicago Cubs (28-45) at Wrigley Field this week. The Cubs come into this series with a 5-5 record in their last 10 games and a series win against the Cardinals in St. Louis over the weekend.
Details:
- Time: 8:05 pm ET
- Place: Wrigley Field
- Weather: 80 degrees; mostly sunny
- TV: Bally Sports Ohio
- Radio: 700 WLW
Lineups
Cincinnati Reds
|
Chicago Cubs |
| 2B Jonathan India | CF Christopher Morel |
| 3B Brandon Drury | RF Rafael Ortega |
| DH Donovan Solano | DH Willson Contreras |
| 1B Joey Votto | LF Ian Happ |
| SS Kyle Farmer | 3B Patrick Wisdom |
| LF Max Schrock | SS Nico Hoerner |
| RF Albert Almora Jr | C Yan Gomes |
| CF Nick Senzel | 1B Alfonso Rivas |
| C Aramis Garcia | 2B David Bote |
– 20 minutes before the start of the game Tommy Pham was scratched and replaced by Max Schrock in left field. The lineup also saw a little bit of restructuring.
-After being hit in the wrist during the Giants series, Jonathan India makes his return to the starting lineup for the Reds.
-Happ, Contreras, and Wisdom have all homered off Luis Castillo in their careers. Contreras is hitting .467 against him in 15 at-bats, and Happ is hitting .350 against him in 20 at-bats.
Starting Pitchers
| Name | IP | ERA | xERA | FIP | xFIP | WHIP | K% | BB% |
| Luis Castillo | 51.0 | 3.71 | 3.58 | 3.46 | 3.73 | 1.14 | 22.9% | 8.4% |
| Keegan Thompson | 61.0 | 3.10 | 3.43 | 4.14 | 4.21 | 1.15 | 22.0% | 9.6% |
REDS
The trade rumors are already swirling around Castillo and the trade deadline is still a month away. The latest one is that the Yankees are interested (although we’ve all heard that one before). Last Wednesday, Castillo probably had one of the worst starts of his season thus far. He gave up four runs in five innings and struck out six. It did come against the LA Dodgers, one of the best teams in the league, but if the Reds really are looking to trade Castillo, they want him to pitch the best he can right now to get the best return. Castillo last faced the Cubs on May 25 at Wrigley Field. He struck out six while giving up four hits and two runs in five innings.
This season, Castillo’s been slightly better against right-handed batters vs. left handed batters, depending on what stat you use. His batting average against right-handed hitters is only .202, with an on-base percentage of .258. The batting average against left-handed hitters is .216, but because he’s walked 12 left-handed hitters, the on-base percentage against lefties is higher at .310. This aligns with his career numbers, as historically he’s always been better against right-handed hitters.
CUBS
In his second year with the Cubs, Keegan Thompson has thrown 61.0 innings to date, already surpassing the 53.0 innings he pitched in 2021. The 27-year-old right-hander is listed as the 30th prospect in the Cubs organization, but he’s pitched better than that this season. Thompson has only really had one bad start in 2022, a game on June 7th at Baltimore in which he gave up seven runs in three innings. However, he’s coming off arguably his two best starts of the season, a two-hit shutout with nine strikeouts in six innings against Atlanta and a six inning performance against the Pirates where he allowed four hits and one run, a home run, with seven strikeouts in six innings.
Thompson throws four pitches, but sticks mostly with his fastball and his cutter. He averages in the low 90s for both his fastball and his cutter. Both of these pitches have seen a small increase in velocity from 2021 to 2022. His off speed pitches, mainly a curve ball, has averaged in the low 80s this season.
Right-handed hitters tend to hit Thompson better, with a .238 batting average against him. However, left-handed batters have gotten on base more against him, as he’s allowed 13 walks to lefties compared to only eight against righties.
News and Notes
The Reds made a trade with the Cleveland Guardians today, sending minor league catcher Sandy León to Cleveland where he immediately joined their big league roster.
The Reds also called up catcher Mike Papierski from Triple-A and optioned Chris Okey back to the minor leagues.
You can catch up on the Reds minor league action from yesterday here.
There were also a bunch of minor league promotions today:
-Rafael Franco from the ACL to Daytona
-Quin Cotton from Chattanooga to Dayton
-Tyler Callihan from Daytona to Dayton
-Jonathan Willems from Chattanooga to Dayton
-Michael Trautwein from Dayton to Daytona— Doug Gray (@dougdirt24) June 28, 2022
This is a huge series. 4th place is on the line here. I mean if that doesn’t get you pumped up what exactly will? I expect the park to be packed and rocking! Scalpers should be making big big money tonight selling the hottest ticket in town. So lets get the popcorn ready and get ready for a throw down for 4th place.
Probably a very unpopular opinion, but with this year lost already, I’d rather the reds actually suck and end up with a top 5 pick than become mediocre, finish in third, draft in the upper teens and see absolutely zero changes in coaching or front office this offseason. Mediocrity will only bring more mediocrity for this franchise.
Totally agree. If you ain’t first your last. Play the tradeable assets and then play the kids after the trade deadline. It’s time to start the rebuild and put both feet in. Half in half out is garbage.
I understand your thinking but I think it is a bit more complicated. I think this year and next is about finding what talent exist as the team works it’s way toward Moose and Votto being off the books.Hopefully when that occurs ownership will invest some money in upgrading the roster. But I’m not holding my breadth.
I agree also…right now the more the lose the quicker will change will come. Finishing in 4th means absolutely nothing.
Kuhnel is horrible. Why is he still called on.
Because people here liked him? Because he has good stuff, they don’t have a lot to choose from in the BP, because this season is about sorting, because small sample size?
This 6’7 SS Cruz for the Pirates reminds me of Barrero. Looks the part, but has shown nothing to show he belongs to this point. 3rd inning and he’s already made an error and 0-2 with 2 Ks batting 3rd vs Patrick Corbin
Really glad that they gave Okay a legit start
I see Pham is not playing. Wonder why
Lower back stiffness, reportedly
Really, what happened? Did he bend down to slap a midget who was stashing fantasy players? 🙂
Too funny Tom. Nicely done.
Lower back tightness.
Thank you gentlemen.
One other note from today, Moran was outrighted off the 40-man roster. Based on his service time he can accept or reject the assignment. 40-man stands at 39 players with Hoffman on the “COVID” IL who will need the spot when he’s activated.
Another terrible signing by Nick Krall. For a franchise that is known for being cheap, they sure do waste a lot of money.
I don’t know … he came into 2022 as a league average hitter (OPS+, 100) and better than average against RHP. For just $300K above the MLB minimum, there wasn’t much risk. He didn’t perform and is off the roster. With all the injuries, he really wasn’t blocking any top prospects either.
I’ve never seen before quite many scratches from the lineup in a season like this of 2022
Could be that Bell makes his lineups days in advance…without consulting the medical staff, and regardless if players are hot but deserve a day off anyway.
Could be, but probably isn’t.
all i know is something happened there
What was the ump thinking with the 2 out calls?
the right thing lol
He ended up looking more than a little bush league in the end.
No damage done other than a few more pitches from Castillo.
Why didn’t Votto yell “ step off”?! Would’ve easier got the runner
Not watching but must be a circus.Castillo won’t last 5 after a 20 pitch first.
As a lifetime Reds fan (60+ years) this is the most frustrating team! After losing 6 in a row against the Bernies & the Dodgers I was close to throwing in the fan towel. Then, the take 2 of 3 against the Giants in their ballpark! Could have had a sweep if we didn’t have to suffer thru another mandatory Mike Minor fiasco (loss). Hoping for the best against the stupid Cubbies! With the inevitable trade of LC before the August 2nd MLB trade deadline I hope his last few starts as a Red are wins!
Yeah LC deserves to play for a contender. Just depressing he didn’t have a chance to win here. I wonder how long we will have to wait. I have been a fan for 50 years and am starting to believe I may have been my last Red’s World Series. I really can’t comprehend this team ever competitions again. At least not without major changes to the game.
I see teams like Detroit and Baltimore who have been rebuilding now for a decade and doesn’t seem at all close to winning.
Awful lot of pitches …
With every pitcher the Reds have this is said. At what point is this considered an “organizational approach?”
For me? A couple of years ago.
Maybe he’s working on keep his value down because he don’t like the Yankees who reports said we’re scouting him tonight.
+500
This game is a whole bunch of outs.
Yankees probably more interested in Thompson at this point.
Exactly he has 12 outs on 42 pitches with 6 punch outs.Both teams are awful and we just can’t wait to take a seat it appears.
Good, I don’t want the Yankees prospects, let them go fleece someone else.
Forgot to mention we had a day off even though we flew from San Francisco.Hard to say this team is ready to play on some nights.
What is the definition of an overshift…as Sadak says?
“Pull-shift” isn’t it?
Castillo is dealing.
Yeah trying to strike out everybody.May make it to the 6th.Can’t blame him though.Imagine with the Yanks offense and pen 5 innings would be good enough for a win on most nights.
He will win 15-20 a year under a real organization. Get away from this nickel and pony show and get to an organization that wants to win the World Series every year. This organization is fine playing 500.
Made Thompson throw 13 pitches that inning and got a hit.What a joke and so I am gone for this night.
Castillo 8 strike outs 0 walks. Must be impressing the scouts.
He is impressing me.
His pitch count is high enough that he is going to get some of if not all of the sixth as well
10K’s in 5 innings but a LOT of pitches to get there. I really hate to roll the dice with the BP, but how much farther do we expect Bell to let LC go tonight?
He will start the 6th at least..
That’s what I was thinking. He’ll be on a pretty short leash.
I think that might stand. Cant tell when the Ball player comes off the bag vs the ball arriving
Ball nipped India’s finger on the swing. Pinch job hopefully, not bone.
There we go…. we finally score
That works in any park … it would still be rolling out in SF.
A Wrigley GR Double and an RBI.
And Solano with the Inside the Ivy non homerun
Hopefully Bell has somebody up. Castillo ,it seems , gets into trouble after his team scores some runs.
Nice call.
Yes indeed
Typical Castillo. Gets a lead, loses focus, and walks the leadoff. Tonight is perfect example of what keeps LC from being an elite starter. Too many pitches as well.
Exactly and he never ever changes.You can see it coming and it makes no difference if its early or late in a game.I am sure he knows it as well but come on man.
It would help if Garcia would catch the ball in the strike zone…cost him that 2nd walk.
This is a Major League AB by Gomes
a grind to be sure, but good job LC
Yes, that was a great job. 123 pitches but he got through a difficult 6th.
Bell should have pulled him after the 2nd walk… and now he knows it…
What a great effort by Luis.
123 pitches.
Kudos to Bell for not yanking him with all of those guys on base.
Which part of VA do you live in? I am in Bristol.
East Coast….Gloucester County (Near Williamsburg)
We’re a million miles apart…lol
Pretty much as far as you can be in the same state.
Huh, it’s almost like Bell doesn’t have faith in his BP 😉
+1,000
Can’t figure out why 😉
Glad to see LC get out of that. If it’s his last start as a red, that is one to be proud of. I complain about Bell a lot. But that was good of him to let LC pitch there either way.
Remember today is about marketing him. Wouldn’t have happened normally. It worked out. Maybe Bell will learn something but I’m not betting on it.
Maybe we all will, but I’m not betting on that, either.
Way our season has gone he will be put on the DL tomorrow.Gutty effort for sure.
Awful baserunning by AAJ
As close to a TOOTBLAN as you can get for AAJ without actually making an out. Good thing Senzel wasn’t running heads down.
Yeah ESPN says Senzel singles to deep center so what happened.
AAJ didn’t run hard and missed that it went over the CF’ers head. Missed opportunity except that it didn’t ultimately matter.
defender made it look like it would get caught until the last minute when it bounced off the wall. Ball came right back to the defender. AAJ had held up. Would have been a double at least and maybe AAJ scores.
India sent that one to india
India gets hot this time of year …
Apparently his finger felt okay … 🙂
Indy got it …and he knew it. Monster shot.
Solano is making a statement
Time for a but … but … but … from Joey.
Wick and Votto. Old buddies
oh man, Wick went bye bye
Dude could always hit.I think he is around 280 lifetime.Gap power mostly but 280 is pretty good.
I remember Wick having nasty stuff.
Now he’s on the struggle bus.
Maybe it’s not just OUR relievers.
I’m not trading Solano and Drury if I’m the Reds. Who is ready at AAA to hit as well as they do? With the DH in play we need someone in that spot to produce.
Why not and the DH allows for an old guy?Drury has done well for sure and how much worse would we be without him
Not sure why they play that shift on Drury. He can and did go to right.
Time for Kyle Farmer to get in on the action
Call it Mark never enough with our pen.
I tried
Votto is 1for his last 30. That walk was a gift. Hopefully Farmer makes the cubs pay.
Nope
Tough way to end the innning, but The Reds got 3, and it’s now 5-0. Is that enough ? We shall soon see.
Not when the Cubbies start their half of the 7th that way.
Going to need a GIDP here to erase that runner.
And then THAT happens
Who feels comfortable with this lead?
Nope
What in the HECK was that? Can’t let that happen, guys.
Now we’re in a pickle.
I got it you take it.
That’s three batters. Time to pull him
Here we go with the stupid bullpen! Kuhnel…..better get him out of there now!
Kuhnel? Can’t we try someone else? He’s horrible. I know the pickings are slim
Bullpen comes in and they turn into Barnum and Bailey Circus.
Kuhnel’s slider seemed to be the pitch that they wanted to hit.
He’s got a good fastball and sinker. He should just stick with that.
What a mess.
I think Hoffman would move into high leverage for me considering who we have left. They’re that bad
Outfield misplay cost them at least 2. High infield chop is just bad luck. The HBP was no bueno though.
I fast forwarded….you’re right. Senzel & AAJ have some chemistry issues out there. Looks to me like AAJ is to aggressive and Senzel does not take command in CF and AAJ laid off his ball to be a good teammate. Thats what it looked like there
I need to head for bed. We just can’t endure any kind of lasting success, can we?
Stupid Cubs might just pull this one out if we can’t knuckle down and maybe put up a couple more runs.
As much as Garcia has struggled at the plate this year, with the 3-4 night he is now hatting for a better BA than Votto. .210 vice .209. Of course Votto has a ton more at bats.
Why stick with Kuhnel? After 3 batters, one in and runners on 2nd & 3rd. Luckily he only gave up 3. As bad as the bullpen is, it’s better than last year’s 1st half bullpen. But it’s still mismanaged.
Not with Diaz and Santillan hurt its not. Cessa is worse. Warren is worse. Strickland is terrible.
I take my roommate to work, all the cubs damage happens while he is in the car. Once he was out, Kuchel got out the inning, strange
You need to find a better Roommate.
Hey, Strickland is our closer, kind of all the Nasty Boys rolled into one. As you know, sometimes the change is just to break the other team’s rhythm. Mind games, but sometimes they work
Sorry response was to Indy
These guys are nasty alright.
Every pitch from Warren is high. Somebody go talk to the man.
survived it….hung that one to Bote. Sometimes they just miss it….hitting is hard.
Horrible 2 strike hanger there by Warren but lined out to RF. Warren is horrible.
Strickland has been declared…”The Closer!”.
If Warren can get out of the 8th, it’s Strickland, likely the top of the Cubs order.
Barrero 0-4 with 2 Ks again. Idk about him? On a good note Stuart Fairchild 2-4 with a .958 ops so far at Lville. He hit about like Senzel did in college. He kind of reminded me of Drew Stubbs on film who was a pretty talented player if he didn’t K so much.
Doug got mad at me last year when I said this, but drop Joey to 8th or 9th and he will retire. You have to crack their ego/pride instead of feeding it with the cleanup spot 150+ times a year. He might actually start hitting a little or he’ll quit? It worked for Senzel.
Sit him vs lefties too. He can’t hit them. You are now Joey Akiyama to us. You’ll platoon and bat 8th
+1000
Why would you want the Reds to humiliate one of the greatest players in team history?
Let’s embarrass him so he will quit so the team will save some money. OK, then what? Do you really believe the Reds will reinvest that $25 million back in the team?
For people who are always complaining about Votto’s salary please keep this in mind…Joey signed a 10 year contract. The Reds could have signed him for a shorter period, but by doing so, they would have had to pay him more upfront. The Reds didn’t to do that, so they signed him for a longer period. The final years of Joey’s contract is part of his overall compensation. If the Reds had offer $25 million a year for 7 years, Votto would not have signed.
Joey Votto is probably the last player who will spend his entire career with the Reds. He is a hall of fame type of player, who loves playing in Cincinnati. Joey is great with fans and media. He is a great ambassador for the team and the sport. Joey is beloved by Reds fans and the City of Cincinnati.
But yeah, by all means, let’s publicly embarrass him.
100% agree
Well said, Votto.
Including this year Votto is still owed 52 million dollars,he wont walk away from that
Votto is owed $25 million in 2023 plus a $7 million buyout for 2024
Votto has $32 million in exit fees after this year and wont be a Red in 2024
57 million
Wow talking about grasping victory out of the Jaws of defeat lol
It’s never easy
We better get something for Luis! 99 with movement doesn’t grow on trees
Strickland got the first guy on 4 pitches… The next batter he throws 2 in a row a foot and half outside… I was glad that Bell went with his designated Closer, but it was still touch and go… Plenty of drama with the Reds bullpen, and good to win the first one in chi-town…
With all the injuries to the bullpen, who would you all bring in to pitch? Not holding up for bell at all, however with Sims, Satalian, Diaz all hurt and on DL, oh and Hoffman on covid list.. He doesn’t have too many option’s. I suppose Detwiller.. Again who would you all bring in?
When you ask hard questions, Kevin, you risk ruining the narrative.