After a come from behind win on Monday night, the Cincinnati Reds will look to pick up a win this evening and grab another series victory. The Chicago Cubs will try to even the series up at one game a piece. First pitch is set for 6:40pm ET.
Starting Lineups
Chicago Cubs
|
Cincinnati Reds
|
| Nico Hoerner – 2B | Jonathan India – 2B |
| Dansby Swanson – SS | TJ Friedl – CF |
| Ian Happ – LF | Jake Fraley – DH |
| Cody Bellinger – CF | Tyler Stephenson – C |
| Trey Mancini – DH | Jason Vosler – 1B |
| Patrick Wisdom – 3B | Wil Myers – RF |
| Eric Hosmer – 1B | Spencer Steer – 3B |
| Yan Gomes – C | Kevin Newman – SS |
| Miles Mastrobuoni – RF | Will Benson – LF |
| Hayden Wesneski – RHP | Luis Cessa – RHP |
Starting Pitchers
Stats from 2022
| Pitcher | IP | ERA | WHIP | BB | K |
| Hayden Wesneski | 33.0 | 2.18 | 0.94 | 7 | 33 |
| Luis Cessa | 80.2 | 4.57 | 1.29 | 28 | 59 |
| Links: Luis Cessa’s Stats | Hayden Wedneski’s Stats |
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Luis Cessa
Last season saw Luis Cessa move into the rotation in late August. He would make nine starts before the season ended and two of those starts came against the Cubs. Cessa pitched well in both, allowing three total runs in 10.2 innings with one walk and 12 strikeouts.
Last year when it came to average, on-base percentage, walks, and strikeouts – there wasn’t much difference between lefties and righties when they faced Luis Cessa. But when it came to power there was a pretty big difference. Righties showed off a lot more power against him than lefties did. That hasn’t always been the case, though. In 2021 he didn’t give up a single home run to a righty and gave up five of them to lefties in far fewer matchups.
2022 Splits
| Split | PA | H | 2B | 3B | HR | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| RHH | 176 | 40 | 5 | 1 | 10 | 14 | 32 | .253 | .318 | .487 |
| LHH | 160 | 36 | 6 | 1 | 4 | 14 | 27 | .247 | .313 | .384 |
Pitch Usage (from 2022)
| 4-Seam | 2-Seam | Slider | Change | |
| Velo | 93.5 | 93.8 | 83.0 | 87.9 |
| Usage | 21% | 21% | 39% | 19% |
Hayden Wesneski
Called up in September of last year, Wesneski’s season began with a 5-inning, 8-strikeout performances where he allowed no runs against the Reds. His season ended a month later when he allowed a run in 6.0 innings while picking up six strikeouts against the Reds. This spring he picked up where he left off, posting a 2.12 ERA out in Arizona in his five spring training starts, racking up 22 strikeouts in 17.0 innings.
His splits in the big leagues were on a pretty limited sample size. He was successful against both lefties and righties, but lefties in particular did absolutely nothing against him. In the minor leagues in 2022 his splits were a bit different. Lefties showed plenty of power against him, hitting .245/.304/.456 in 227 plate appearances, while righties hit .209/.284/.274 against him in 230 plate appearances.
2022 Splits
| Split | PA | H | 2B | 3B | HR | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| RHH | 85 | 17 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 22 | .221 | .294 | .390 |
| LHH | 47 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 11 | .159 | .192 | .205 |
Pitch Usage (from 2022)
| 4-Seam | 2-Seam | Slider | Cutter | Change | |
| Velo | 93.6 | 92.4 | 81.4 | 88.8 | 87.2 |
| Usage | 24% | 23% | 31% | 14% | 8% |
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: 74°, cloudy, 5% chance of rain
News and Notes
Nick Senzel and Tony Santillan to start rehab assignments
Earlier today it was announced that outfielder Nick Senzel and right-handed reliever Tony Santillan would be heading out to join Triple-A Louisville on rehab assignment. Senzel is recovering from a toe injury and surgery, while Santillan is coming back from a back injury. You can read more about both from our piece earlier today. Senzel is in the lineup tonight and starting in center. Joey Votto’s also in the lineup and he’s starting at first base.
Joey Votto not likely to return at the earliest possible date
David Bell said it’s unlikely for Joey Votto to return on Thursday. Jose Barrero is available today. Jason Vosler is going to start getting a bit of pregame work in the outfield.
— Charlie Goldsmith (@CharlieG__) April 4, 2023
That’s not terribly surprising. Votto will only have played in four games while on his rehab assignment if he would return to Cincinnati on Thursday.
Standings
| Team | W | L | GB | Playoff Odds |
| Reds | 3 | 1 | 0.0 | 2.7% |
| Brewers | 3 | 1 | 0.0 | 61.2% |
| Pirates | 2 | 2 | 1.0 | 6.8% |
| Cardinals | 2 | 2 | 1.0 | 69.9% |
| Cubs | 1 | 3 | 2.0 | 13.4% |
| Playoff Odds via Fangraphs | ||||
Glad to see Vosler back in the lineup tonight. We need to ride that hot bat as long as we can. He needs to play somewhere every day until proven otherwise even when Votto comes back. I want to see Votto back. He’s getting closer but doesn’t quite have his fastball timing back yet to me at least.
Anyone that uses Spectrum not getting the reds game tonight even though it’s supposed to be on BSO
I switched to Spectrum recently. I’m getting a lot of the Reds games from BSO but not all of them like I did with ATT. I did get the one tonight.
Reds face a righty tonight and Stroman early tomorrow(weather now looks ok early) and then road opener Thursday against Zach Wheeler and the Phillies.( Philly is 0-4 with a horrific bullpen again).
Doesnt look like Votto is going to Philly so Vosler is going to get 3 more games as a starter as will Fraley and Friedl. The question then becomes when does Bell give Fairchild the start against a righty over benson. Both are struggling and the rest of this week appears to be a battle for a roster spot when Votto returns.
Hopefully Reds can win the series today.
I like the early sense of enthusiasm, energy and urgency this team has displayed.
Unless Benson gets hot like he was in early ST, Fairchild probably gets the spot since Bell seems committed to platooning Fraley. Barrero being iffy for CF duty would seem to make this even more likely.
If Benson is sent down, he needs to see it as an opportunity to get himself together and play like he did last year at AAA. If he does that, he will get another shot soon.
Bats are playing the Indians. Or should I call them the gaurdians? Seems like MiLB would have asked them to change their name when Cleveland did. (I know they’re a PIT affiliate. Just pointing out the name.)
Also, anyone else not have sound to the AAA game?
Indy Indians have a signed “treaty” with a local tribe that wants the name kept in place. Probably getting paid would be my guess.
They just resigned for another few years (maybe 5).
Thanks GR. I was more making a joke thank anything. Interesting to know that though.
I could be wrong but I think I the Indy AAA team has a waiver years ago local Native American tribal organization to continue to use their long time nickname.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/minors/2023/02/23/indianapolis-indians-keeping-name-partnering-local-tribe/11332219002/
“The Indianapolis Indians, the Class AAA affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates, announced Wednesday that it will not change its team name and is instead partnering with a local Native American tribe.”
“Florida State University, for example, has justified its Seminole team name through public support from the Tribal Council of the Seminole Tribe of Florida.”
I’m from Indy and I like the Indians. I also like the Florida State Seminoles. No disrespect intended on my part.
Leading the division and we only have 3 percent playoff odds…. doesnt seem fair
Cessa and Overton not fooling the Cubs in the first innings
Cessa got out of the inning with minimal damage. Hopefully he can settle down now and give us 5 or 6.
nice how this team fights
India and fraley and Stephenson are going to be on NL hitting stat leader boards all year. Im calling it now. Jon India will finish in the top 5 in runs scored in the NL this year.
Jon India 100 runs scored.
I’ll take small ball and aggressive base running any day over the junk I watched the last few years. The home run or strikeout to me is a terrible approach.
+1000
Agreed
He’s throwing strikes – think of that – what an idea.
Steer with the leaping grab!
Newman back hand easy play. Infield defense is light years better than Moose and Suarez and last few years. Back to the days of Frazier and Cozart.
Unpopular opinion here, but votto has been a liability at 1b as well. Of note also, Vosler has looked very good defensively over there. A good 1b can clean up a lot of other infielder issues.
Newman solid pickup. Good glove hits LHP decent.
I said Friedl would get 15 homers 25 steals. Maybe I should up the homers.
Friedl aint going anywhere. Bomb
atta boy Fredl
Benson is so far over his head. Never will hit major league pitching with that swing.
Forget the L/R stuff and just stick Fraley in LF and DH someone on the bench till Votto returns.
No point in continuing to run Benson out there.
Ramos?
I think you should keep bashing him because that is what obviously made the baseball gods help him make that catch just now.
Drinking game….
Everytime Lark say “ball out over the plate”
Or India is a leader
Listened in the car and on my evening walk. Just makes me smile to see these guys continue to grind it out and show their stuff.
Meanwhile at Louisville in consecutive AB’s:
Siani – Homerun
Senzel – Double
Votto – Single
McLain – Double
Reynolds – Single
Thanks for the report
What a grab by Benson. Great timing to make that catch.
Steer and Newman putting on a defensive show
And benson amazing catch in the stands
Major leather that inning….Steer, Newman, and Benson.
Did somebody say – Defense?! Like Old School said up above , light years ahead of past teams.
Vosler in a slump….3 at bats since his last home run. So there’s that
I’m speechless … 😮
I think that you have a real guy there with Vosler
They can’t send Vosler down when Joey comes back , can they?
Will the real JV please stand up!!!!
Keep that man in the lineup! Vosler does it again. Give others “days of rest”. haha
Vosler tied for the NL Lead in HR. Raise your hand if you called that. Nick Krall…nice work.
51 pitches through 4 innings. Pretty stout.
Stay in Louisville a little longer Joe. Please Say it’s so Joe.
He hasn’t looked good. He’s always been slow but he looks really sluggish and. It ready for prime time at all.
When JV returns, I think JV should play at 1B, and JV should be the DH.
🙂
Jv has been showing a better glove
I’m still waiting for someone, anyone, who called David Bell an idiot for putting Vosler in the lineup in the 5 hole. I mean Bell can’t catch a break. It’s like there is an entire group of people waiting to pounce and call him a name or give him another childish nickname when he makes a decision they don’t agree with but there are crickets when a decision he makes goes well.
Same for the pitching coach Johnson. Blame him for every walk or bad appearance but let the bp pitch well and it must be something in the water or alien intervention.
I’m a pretty consistent critic of DTBell. I was happy to see Vosler moved up in the order and Myers dropped a bit.
I was one who questioned that move. It has worked out well so far. I was wrong. It didn’t make sense to me then. Still doesn’t logically. I didn’t call him names or anything like that. Debate, critique, and conversation are part of this comments section. It is fun to share our opinions and express when we agree or disagree.
I don’t know where this is coming from.
I’m a regular critic of Bell, but I was also in support of keeping Vosler in comparison to Bell favorites Pinder or Reynolds.
Vosler’s MLB stats aren’t extensive but his AAA work hints at a lot of potential with consistent playing time.
I think Johnson has gotten a lot of credit for his work with Greene, Lodolo and Ashcraft.
I think there has been valid room for criticism over the past years due to so many first-batter-walks from the bullpen. Relief pitchers regular seemed to enter games unprepared. An issue which was never spoken of or seemginly addressed.
We’re five games into the season.
A little early to be assessing what changes are due to what influences.
Ther Reds were 2-3 after five games last year.
Then the ceiling fell in.
Cessa has settled in. May give us 6 afterall.
Tough luck for Newman on what should have been an easy play.
Spoke too soon, it may appear.
I did that last night with Overton. I kept my mouth shut tonight. Lol
What happened?
Newman doing great and Newman misses a routine 6-3 and Cessa throws 4 straight balls. Never easy. Ian Happ….
Play was “too easy” for Newman after his great plays … 😀
I was one who questioned that move. It has worked out well so far. I was wrong. It didn’t make sense to me then. Still doesn’t logically. I didn’t call him names or anything like that. Debate, critique, and conversation are part of this comments section. It is fun to share our opinions and express when we agree or disagree.
Sorry, this was meant to be a reply to Brian Rutherford’s comment above.
Why dodgers let MVP bellinger go. Whew
Dodged another hail of bullets there. Good to see Cessa work through it. Overall, getting a solid performance from a #4/#5 kind of guy.
Benson doesn’t appear to like being a big leaguer. Hope he figures it out fast.
Thinking similar thoughts. He’s got to feel pressure from the guys you know will be activated and a guy like Vosler who is practically daring the club to send him down when the L’Ville bunch is ready.
I assumed Cessa was the 5 because he wasn’t stretched out. That doesn’t look to be a problem.
I was thinking Overton gets skipped at the next opportunity and Cessa then technically is the #4 guy. Regardless, we’re getting what we need from him so far tonight.
Friedl is going to still take some convincing for me.
I’m open to it.
The haircut was undoubtedly a good move.
Would like to see him continue to take advantage of his speed.
He didn’t cut his hair. He has it pulled back. .
Oh? My goof, from the MLB photo.
No Samson move for him.
As long as it doesn’t interfere with the fit of the Viking hat.
Benson is pressing! Two strikeouts so far tonight!
Billy Hamilton would have caught that … even if he started from just behind 2nd base.
😀
Cessa left Mexico’s team in the WBC to not let this opportunity go away. Thats a big statement and an indication the guy wants to be a major league SP. Certainly taking advantage of an opportunity and a sense of urgency to be a part of the Reds starting pitching staff. Kudos to him. Tough first inning but he bowed his back and competed for the Cincinnati Reds. Nice job.
Krall grabbed Cessa and Wilson from the Yankees for Jason Parker. Another solid move Krall.
Parker is one to keep an eye on, though.
Deal might work out for the Evil Empire ad well in the long run.
Looking at Parkers Milb page under transactions it says he retired last October 22. So looks like a steal for Krall.
Well, there goes the 2 run lead! Gotta get to Diaz with at least a one run lead!
OK. Got through a dicey inning there. Really need to add back that run and maybe a dozen or so more. We know they are capable.
Santillan got a 0 run inning tonight!, we can use him.
It took him 22 pitches, only half of them strikes.
YIKES! Looked to me like he misplayed that a bit and then WHAM!!
This inning worries me with Farmer and the top of the lineup.
Good thing it was Friedl, Senzel would miss a month if it were him.
Reds killer Happ up with 2 runners on base! Not good!
Sign him! Hes a FA next year and the Cubs havent done it.
GG left fielder, reds killer, college in. Cincy and switch hitter and 29 yo FA. Reds need an OF.
Please!
Not ready to sign off on the bullpen.
And there it is, a Happ double ties the game!
The Reds bullpen we had all been expecting has finally arrived.
Not Bucks night.
Well, that’s not good … 😮
It’s Farmer’s Night for the Chicago Cubs!!
Bring on Joel Kuhnel! He hasn’t pitched yet this season.
Let kuhnel finish this game and give the BP a rest.
On the brink of disaster here. Cubs are gifting us with poor baserunning right now. But we keep giving them chances.
I’m on the verge of a Clete here. Lack of an out so far is really adding fuel to the fire.
UGH!!! If fact, Double UGH!!!
It was nice week while it lasted. Bullpen and outfield and Sp have holes.
Broke arms in the bullpen. Weaksticks at the plate. Too many glaring holes in this line up,..not to mention Bell. Sad, but what I expected. Benson, Myers & Newman have no business in any Major League line up. Our 9 is like swiss cheese offensively. I know for a fact we have folks that have potential to actually hit a baseball in the Minors. No way we win with a team full of players who are automatic outs. Cessa pitched good enough to win. Bad pen,..sad offense. Poor management. It is what it is. Worst part is,..we have players in the Minors who could help this team. Oh well.
Benson seems to be a nice guy. I feel sorry for him. He made a nice catch. But how many strike outs is it going to take for Bell and management to realize he can’t hit a baseball????????? No excuse for him to be in the Majors. Bless his heart, someone needs to send him down as I know he must be humiliated. He is the quintessential Mr. Golden Sombrero.
He’s pressing big time. He’s never going to hit again until he settles down.
Four runs in and still nobody out.
This looks like a big problem for the Reds bullpen. What will David Bell do? He can think his way out of this, can’t he?
Looks like the 2022 Reds bullpen has been reincarnated tonight!
This is a Clete.
Until tomorrow
I’m almost there
Seven (7) Cub batters so far in the top of the 7th and ALL have reached base! Yikes!
And David Bell gives Joel Kuhnel the mop.
Here ya’ go, son!
Just remember, it IS the Cubs. I don’t think their bullpen is all that tight either.
Question for anybody. I was at the game Saturday night and noticed there were no venders -food or beer, coming down the aisles. Is this something new? The ambiance wasn’t the same without hearing “Cold Beer Here!”
Not 100% sure…but hasn’t it been that way since Covid?
There were none last year in the 2 games i went to.
It’s a shame that they blew the lead, Looks like the whole pen is having an off night. Get it out of your system tonight guys
Bullpen reversion to the the mean? Hopefully, a blip but sure feels like last year.
Full-on Clete for me. Should be able to catch the game from my office tomorrow. Hope Greene is up to the task.
In all honesty, Kuhnel made good pitches to Mastrobuoni. How he laid off that 2-strike change-up on the outside corner (that was called a ball…barely) is beyond me.
Wasted an outstanding outing by Cessa tonight! What a shame!
Sic Gloria Transit Monday
Ok let’s match the Cubs in our half.
Benson looking lost.
Time for an intervention for his confidence takes a beating.
The Reds used 7 pitchers yesterday. Cubs used 2 (in a close game)
Reds 5 tonight….Cubs only 3.
I wonder which pen will hold up longer
When I see Kuhnel, “professional athlete” just isn’t the term that immediately comes to mind. He looks like a guy who literally mops up for a living.
Let’s hope kuhnel finishes this out ans rests our pen. And root for a big start from HG tomorrow.
Go Hunter. The Reds need a big series win against the Cubbies. Then on to Philadelphia for opening day in Philly.
Well, at least we scored a field goal!
Friedl injured? Or Bell just throwing in the towel? Fairchild homered but Friedl was 2-2. This isn’t little league . Everyone doesn’t have to play. Go with th3 hot hand and try to win.
Ran into the wall earlier. Just taking him out and rest his shoulder.
The Reds are the most self destructive team I think I’ve seen in decades of baseball.
But wait…..
Hopefully Bell won’t waste Diaz in the top of the 9th!
The Reds definitely have the young talent. However, they are ot going to win any championships in the coming years without spending. I maintain that I see three good starters and a closer, but not too high on this pitchng staff beyond this. I have just observed too many other MLB pitching staffs that are good. The relievers may work against the Pirates who are one of the worst teams in baseball, but they have not seen a good team, yet. The Reds have to spend in the coming years because I do think there is hope for a championship, since I am impressed with many of the young prospects. I agree with Votto who said some these young players coming are game changers. Yes, they are game changers, if the owners will spend on the rest of the needs.
The Reds definitely have the young talent. However, they are not going to win any championships in the coming years without spending. I maintain that I see three good starters and a closer, but not too high on this pitchng staff beyond this. I have just observed too many other MLB pitching staffs that are good. The relievers may work against the Pirates who are one of the worst teams in baseball, but they have not seen a good team, yet. The Reds have to spend in the coming years because I do think there is hope for a championship, since I am impressed with many of the young prospects. I agree with Votto who said some these young players coming are game changers. Yes, they are game changers, if the owners will spend on the rest of the needs.