The Cincinnati Reds picked up a win on Friday afternoon thanks to strong pitching and three home runs. Today they will look to take the series at Wrigley Field against the Chicago Cubs. First pitch this afternoon is scheduled for 2:20pm ET.
Starting Lineups
Cincinnati Reds | Chicago Cubs |
| TJ Friedl – CF | Ian Happ – LF |
| Santiago Espinal – 3B | Kyle Tucker – RF |
| Elly De La Cruz – SS | Seiya Suzuki – DH |
| Tyler Stephenson – DH | Carson Kelly – C |
| Spencer Steer – 1B | Pete Crow-Armstrong – CF |
| Gavin Lux – LF | Dansby Swanson – SS |
| Jose Trevino – C | Nico Hoerner – 2B |
| Will Benson – RF | Justin Turner – 1B |
| Matt McLain – 2B | Matt Shaw – 3B |
| Nick Lodolo – LHP | Drew Pomeranz – LHP |
Starting Pitchers
| Pitcher | IP | ERA | WHIP | BB | K |
| Nick Lodolo | 63.2 | 3.39 | 1.10 | 12 | 55 |
| Drew Pomeranz | 12.2 | 0.00 | 0.55 | 3 | 14 |
| Links: Nick Lodolo’s Stats | Drew Pomeranz’s Stats | |||||
Nick Lodolo
The season has gone well for Nick Lodolo through his 11 starts. He’s had two hiccups along the way, but overall he’s been very good for the Reds thus far. In his last start he allowed three runs against the Cubs at Great American Ball Park.
Teams have sent lineups out to the umpire three different times this year without a single left-handed hitter in it with Lodolo on the mound. When lefties have had a chance to face Lodolo this season they’ve found plenty of singles, but they aren’t walking and aren’t showing much power when they do get hits. Righties aren’t doing much at all against him, hitting for a low average, not walking, and they aren’t hitting for any power.
Splits
| Split | PA | H | 2B | 3B | HR | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| RHH | 218 | 42 | 10 | 0 | 6 | 10 | 48 | .209 | .264 | .348 |
| LHH | 50 | 16 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 7 | .364 | .400 | .500 |
Pitch Usage
| 4-seam | 2-seam | Slider | Change | |
| Velo | 93.7 | 93.5 | 81.9 | 87.7 |
| Usage | 21% | 31% | 26% | 22% |
Drew Pomeranz
After spending at least a part of every season from 2011-2021 in the big leagues, Drew Pomeranz didn’t pitch in the big leagues in 2022 (injury), 2023, or 2024 before returning in 2025 when the Cubs purchased his contract from Seattle in late April when he was in Triple-A. He’s pitched almost exclusively out of the bullpen since the middle of 2019.
The sample size is small in 2025 when facing lefties and righties given that he’s a reliever, but he’s performed incredibly well against both lefties and righties. The lone issue he’s had has been that he’s walking a lot of right-handed hitters so far this season – but that was an issue in Triple-A and hasn’t been an issue in his limited big league time this year.
Splits (AAA & MLB)
| Split | PA | H | 2B | 3B | HR | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| RHH | 61 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 17 | .122 | .295 | .143 |
| LHH | 29 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 11 | .154 | .214 | .192 |
Pitch Usage (AAA & MLB)
| 4-seam | Curve | |
| Velo | 92.9 | 82.9 |
| Usage | 75% | 25% |
When and Where
- Game time: 2:20pm ET
- Where: Wrigley Field
- Watch: FanDuel Sports Network Ohio, MLB.tv, MLB Network
- Listen: 700 WLW AM (Cincinnati area)
- Forecast: 59°, sunny, 0% chance of rain
News and Notes
Christian Encarnacion-Strand is getting closer
The Reds infielder is crushing the ball for Louisville while on his rehab assignment. He has five extra-base hits, two walks, and just one strikeout with the Bats in his five games with them. We wrote about how he’s been performing thus far earlier today and have video of all of his extra-base hits if you want to go give that a read/watch.
Division Standings
| Team | W | L | GB | Playoff Odds |
| Chicago | 35 | 22 | 0.0 | 81.3% |
| St. Louis | 32 | 25 | 3.0 | 39.4% |
| Milwaukee | 30 | 28 | 5.5 | 18.7% |
| Cincinnati | 29 | 29 | 6.5 | 7.4% |
| Pittsburgh | 21 | 37 | 14.5 | 0.2% |
| Playoff Odds via Fangraphs | ||||
This pitcher has been stingy in two starts. Hopefully the team can find a way to punch through. Hopefully Lodolo has a good day too today. Taking this series would be really helpful for the Reds season. (dreaming of a sweep but doubt it will happen)
God luck for the Reds this afternoon.
Numbers are switched in the standings for Brewers and Reds
I wondered. I wish you hadn’t pointed that out: My day had briefly brightened….
Let´s see what the offense can do today…I think Pomeranz will be a couple of innings…
By the way, Doug I think the Reds are 29-29 and Brewers are 30-28 unfortunately…
Even Doug is not perfect! But he is usually 99.99% correct!
The copy/paste of the template got me good on that one!
Fixed!
The Reds have averaged nearly 6 runs per game over their last 7 games, going 4-3 over that span! Hopefully the offense shows up today and gives Nick an early lead to work with!
So is this basically a bullpen day for the Cubs, and that’s why Tito didn’t feel the need to start Connor Joe or Hampson?
Cubs announcers were talking yesterday that Brown would get an opener(Pomeranz) to see if that helps him. Apparently Browns numbers aren’t the best in the First.
Ah, ok.
Hopefully it doesn’t help him much.
Right now I would rather have any player in the line up 2nd over Espinal, even Mclain.
Espinal continues to hit lefties well. So, given we’re facing a LHP opener, it makes sense. When he was only facing LHP starters, everyone here was clamoring for him to start every day. He’s a good platoon player and bench player. Starting every day exposes his weakness, but that’s where we are with Marte, CES, and Calihan on the IL. Hampson has similar splits.
Hopefully, “First Inning Nick” will solve his first inning problem today.
This is the beginning of the truly rough stretch running through June. Reds can lock up a series victory and at least a 1st half head to head series tie with the Cubs.
Yes Lodolo is generally having a good year but when he falters he falls hard. If he can limit damage, giving up 2-3 runs at most then the Reds will have a chance. Let’s get a dub Reds.
Why does Nick always seem to struggle in the 1st inning?
Not a great start for Nick…
Tucker leaves that unprotected elbow out there to get hit seems stupid. Hopefully it swells up and he is out of the game next inning.
Good job Nick.
That changeup is such a game changer for Lodolo.
Reds can’t hit any lefty.Just had to be a mental thing.Guy could roll it up there with his left hand and get us out
Amazingly, Nick gives up zero runs after having runners on 1st and 2nd with 0 outs.
Hope that portends well for the rest of the game.
Once again. the pitcher’s best friend shows up for Nick, the GIPD!
So Lodolo doesn’t get the low strike but Cubs get the high strike.
Nick got out of the first unscathed. Let’s hope he settles in.
The Reds leader in BA, OBP, OPS, and OPS+ is not in the lineup today.
He has been in the lineup once in the past 4 weeks (and pinch hit a few times).
He can play as C, DH, or 1B.
Nick finally got the curve working.
Cubs are in trouble now.
Heads up play by Friedl .
Looks like Brown is on one today too. Gotta find a way to rattle him.
That sinker or whatever it is he’s throwing is a nasty pitch.
Looks like it’s going to be low in the zone, then the bottom just drops out and it ends up in the dirt.
If the Reds can’t learn to recognize it, it’s going to be a long afternoon.
Knuckle curve.
Breaking off the table.
Steve Bartman comes to our aid.
Smart move by that guy, wearing shades in those seats.
No chance today but we won’t get swept
0-0 in the 4th and you have given up already? I’m going to go out on a limb and say you aren’t a long term investor.
The valuations are too high.
Umpire is killing Lodolo today. That’s at least 3 he has missed.
Okay now I see why the wind blowing in is a issue. LOL
Nothing’s going out today unless it’s a line drive.
It almost feels like he’s pitching around the LHs to get to the RHs.
Tucker and PCA are their two best hitters right now and he mostly hasn’t had the hook, I get it…
How about some offense, Reds?
For this game, they have abandoned their oppo approach.
They usually struggle when they don’t do it.
Brown is on today yikes. his pitches are just diving.
Lodolo holding his own as well
Only easy pop flies today, need line drives and hard hit ground balls. I am not sure Lodolo can hold on until this offense pushes across a run.
Well , today is the day-off for the offense apparently… Brown is fooling the hitters mixing his breaking ball with a fastball but is showing good control
Brown strikes out 11 per 9
Reds are 24th in team strikeouts.
Not a matchup made in heaven.
Those at-bats in the fifth… man. That looked like a white flag. It’s still 0-0!
Finally home and online. Having “a bit of a day” and will be experiencing life without a phone until Monday 😐
Another leadoff Cub onboard … and zero offense from the boyz once again.
I could really use a win to lift my mood.
Perhaps the burgers tonight will help.
Brown is dealing today and sorry your having a day..
Bike Helmets though!!
McLain can really turn those DPs.
I turned one, once 🙂 lol
His best defensive asset IMO.
lalalalala
Lets see if they can start going opposite way with the pitches
Lodolo holding on the Cubs….Strong outing… The offense need to wake up! Go!! Brown has a 6.80 ERA before this game…insane yet to permit a hit…
Steal the bag TJ
Reds do not have the green light this year. For Elly to not lead the league is a travesty. Stealing puts the pressure on the defense.
He’s injured right now at the moment.
Bike Helmets to the rescue … Cowboy called it.
Lodolo hasn’t gotten that low strike all game. Rediculous
Trevino caught that one awkwardly.
Wow Lodolo! Another saver double-play …6 scoreless IP …Did his job…
Lodolo outstanding. Offense?
man, they keep falling for that knuckle curve
When a pitcher knows the wind is blowing in and he doesn’t have to worry about the ball leaving the park, he throws without fear. Brown knows this. Reds hitters haven’t adjusted their swing and are still swinging for the fences.
Nick has 3 opponents today …
1. The Stupid Cubs
2. Yet Another Erratic Chumpire
3. His Own Pathetic Offense
That knuckles curve was brutal pitch for Brown.
What wrong reliever will Tito call on first? Barlow?
Yep.
Who would you of choosen
I was hoping for Suter, or Richardson
Not Barlow,Rogers or Santillan.
LOL…
Walk PCA … that’s an excellent start
Bar is Low….
4 straight misses to PCA
To a guy that never walks
Who has never walked 2 times in a game.
Brown isn’t this good. Last time they lit him up. Get it done. Make a statement.
First two-walk game for Pete Crow-Armstrong in his career, says the Cubs broadcast.
Nico will be looking to shoot it to right field.
Terrible swings.
2 of them were 6 inches inside.
Yakety Sax intensifies.
Like is there something wrong with the batter’s eye today? Lodolo got a couple of those too, and the Reds can’t pick up Brown’s breaking ball to save their lives.
Barlow gets the job done.
Barlow did it. Happy for him.
Might be the best Barlow inning comeback this year.
The Bar comes thru with 3 big K’s
This is a fun game to watch. It feels like a game between two good teams. And the Reds are making plays that good teams make, like the double plays behind Lodolo and the strikeouts by Barlow (despite the Cubs looked pitiful on some of those pitches). I’m still waiting for Reds win thanks to a big late-inning moment. Maybe today?
You make great points. Plus Reds are due for a dramatic win!!
Someone is going to have to hit the ball hard on the ground or on a line for that to have a chance of happening. 🙂
+5,000
Back to double-digit strikeouts I see! Somebody, anybody, put the ball in play please!
Not sure why they took Brown out the way Reds are swinging against him.
Maybe the Reds will have a chance if they get to the 10th. Actually get a guy on 2nd. Although they are 0-5 in extras and haven’t scored a run.
“Although they are 0-5 in extras and haven’t scored a run.”
Yep. Not a confidence builder.
I feel like Bob Uecker in the first Major League movie! One hit? One lousy hit!
This has that 1-0 feel to it.
Sure does.
Walk the first batter. Shocked
What is it with the Cubs and bloop hits?
Wow terrible play.
Well THAT stinks …
Suzuki is this year’s Reds killer!
Wow what a bad luck for Ashcraft…
Oh boy. Benson…that’s a killer.
Tuff break for Benson on that play. Battling the wind and wall.
That ball could have been played better. Tough having no foul territory.
There is 2 inches foul territory. 🙂
Lots of people say they like this park. I don’t.
Hasn’t been that long ago that a couple of nice articles appeared discussing the Reds apparent revised approach to hits rather than power, with subsequent reduction in strikeouts. I guess there has been a revision to the revision.
This is the wall that Ashcraft can’t get over. The times he comes into the game and just can’t throw a strike. You never know when it’s going to happen.
Yep cant walk two batters. He has created his own trouble.
Yep, his inconsistency is hard to watch. His stuff is too good, but he just goes through spurts where he makes a lot of non competitive pitches.
If you use a relief pitcher every inning at some point you’re going to find the one who has an off day. Never will understand the 1 inning deal.
Of course, it doesn’t help when a reliever is using 20-30 pitches to get through a partial inning. Maybe Ashcraft has trouble getting through the third time a lineup appears whether he pitched to them the first two times through or not!
Lodolo sparkles again, at least reading the box score.
We’ll try to get the rubber game tomorrow. Not catching Milwaukee at the right time either. Go Pacers
I am envious of having a home field rabid fan base advantage.
That used to be the Reds, a few decades ago.
The play by Benson is unfortunate, but you have to score runs to win and it looks like the Reds are headed to yet another shut out.
Take your time Elly.
Pull De La Cruz now. No excuse for that
Absolutely. Still hasn’t completely matured
Still got a ways to go.
Reds are just happy they won yesterday and you know and I know and they know that’s all they will win.Reds starters are good but again another shut out loss.
LOL… wow
Perfect storm of blooperness. Leadoff walks, you know how it is.
Ashcraft is going through a rough stretch but I am still on his bandwagon.
De La Cruz took a couple of crow hops before he threw to first on that play.
The defense has been awful … Sad for Ashcraft
The play by Elly there was awful. The defense as a whole today has been solid. The Benson play simply bad luck.
Yes I mean in the 8th …
Man. That can’t happen. That was one time EDLC was laying back a little and relying on his great arm and it wan’t enough.
You have to know who’s running. Get rid of the ball or go to second. Not good.
Somehow that feels like the crushing blow for today.
Indeed. It has felt to me for weeks that this team is going to have to come up with a late comeback win to prove to themselves they can do it. For those old enough to remember, something like a Hal King moment.
I remember 🙂
Were you even born yet for Hal King moments?
Garrett Hampson pinch-hit walkoff shot, incoming.
I was 11 when the Hal King moment happened. 🙂
And Elly probably seals their fate with lax play.
Time to rest again in the field and play the DH only.
Ashcraft surrenders runs again …. Dude can’t get out of his own way …. And gets no help to top it off
Another shutout coming …. I’m on board with getting rid of Krall – Castellini aside , this guy is a joke of a GM or whatever he is
Two walks by Ashcraft led to his downfall in the bottom of the 8th inning!
This season reminds me so much of last season! Reds flirt with .500 record then fall back!
Cubs fans standing and cheering red fans would be on their hands. Waiting for pizza
And the only way the Reds could hope to have as many fans as the Cubs have today is if it was bobblehead day.
Yep
Or if the Cubs are in town.
Agree @JB
This team could have swept the Cubs last week and had their chance today. It’s always something with this team. They need to learn how to win. Until then they are just a .500 team.
Espy shows Elly how to field and throw with some urgency.
I would take Elly out of the field tomorrow and let him DH to show we expect no soft approach to SS.
Bench him for a game. That play was unexcusable
Yeah it was but it turns out it didn’t matter as we didn’t score anyway…..for the ninth time.
Terrible inning all the way around, walks, poor defense and bad luck. Oh well the Reds were never going to score today. Hopefully they play better tomorrow.
Ever notice how some Reds hitters will take two strikes well within the strike zone then swing at a pitch that’s not even close to the strike zone?
Isn’t that what you want? Take pitches no matter what?
Another bullpen choke. Ashcraft and Santillian can’t handle the Cubs. SMH. Tito needs to unload on this team behind closed doors. Inexcusable performance.
What would that do?
Stink. Fish. POT!!!
Well at least Friedl showed up today.
Broke up the no hitter. Good job, TJ
Lodolo showed up. Defense showed up minus Elly effort in the 9th.
Positive thinking!! LOL
8th sorry
What a great game. Bummer we came out on the wrong side of it. Can’t wait for more baseball tomorrow.
Another shutout against the 2025 Reds! I believe that make 9 shutout losses so far this season! In any event, won’t beat any team with only one hit!
They didn’t deserve to win this game. No fight in any of them, save TJ.
All in all a good game. Good pitching and defense by the Reds. Minus the 8th inning play by Elly.
Just wasn’t the Reds’ day.
In a pitching duel like this, it was always about which team blinks first, and sometimes also a little luck thrown in.
Ashcraft didn’t help himself with the walks, but the first run scored on a bad luck play, and the second was Elly loafing.
Regardless, the Reds were never going to win with just 1 hit.
So I guess just sigh and say “Them’s the breaks”, and go get ’em tomorrow.
Reds get shut out again, Reds can’t win a game when losing after 6 and Espinal batting 2nd.
Haven’t won a game this year when losing after six.
Well, there you go. That has to change before this team has any right to believe they are good enough to compete for the post-season.
The more I watch EDLC compared to PCA I just have to admit the Cubs have the better player as well as a much better team. This is a 75 win team at best. They simply don’t hit well enough on a consistent basis and for some reason Tito has taken away their aggressive base running. When the series started most Red Fans were hoping to win 1 and that is what’s going to happen unless some miracle happens Sunday. Meanwhile the Reds are falling farther and farther out of both the Central race and the Wildcard race.
One more point from me and I am gone Tito talked so much about ACCOUNTABILITY, if true Elly needs to sit out Sunday. It didn’t matter but his loafing on a ground ball gave the Cubs their 2nd run. At the very least DH him Tito, you have to send a message to this young man who is no where near as good as he could be.
Said it early they had no chance and they didn’t only because this is who the Reds are have been and will be until the players decide not to be a loser.Tito had no clue of what he was getting into.I am sure players play hard and nobody wants to lose in both of those I am sure of.However this team these players have lost for so long they don’t expect to win.They will say all the right things then go out and do the same things.Reds should be 8-0 but instead they are 4-4 cause they are satisfied and it’s going to take time for that to change and to be honest l think ownership is good with it and some fans are as well
For the commenters who mentioned how much larger and more enthusiastic the Cubs home crowds are than the Reds’: What in the world have we had to cheer for in the past 30 years?
This situation is very, very similar to that of the Bengals, who didn’t win a playoff game for 31 years. Things changed for that team when they drafted and then extended the contracts of two of the best playmakers in the game. The Reds have some players who are on the edge of that status — Hunter Greene and Elly De La Cruz — but neither is of the game-changing caliber of Joe Burrow and JaMarr Chase. The Bengals changed the way they do business to make this happen, and ultimately the Reds will need to do the same.
Smart teams with a franchise QB win in the NFL. Money matters in MLB–big difference.
Fundamentals and effort difference between and playoff contender and the Eeds right now