Chicago @ Cincinnati preview
Great American Ball Park
Last Meeting ( Jul 7, 2014 ) Chi. Cubs 3, Cincinnati 9
One of the most accomplished hitters in baseball is back on the shelf, but it didn't hurt the Cincinnati Reds' offensive production Monday. The Reds look to continue where they left off in a 9-3 victory over the visiting Chicago Cubs when the teams play a day-night doubleheader Tuesday. Cincinnati scored eight runs during its final four at-bats in the opener of a five-game series despite playing without first baseman Joey Votto.
Votto (strained left quadriceps) could be headed for another stint on the disabled list, so Jay Bruce made his first big-league appearance at first base Monday and homered for the second straight game. The win moved the Reds within five games of first-place Milwaukee in a crowded National League Central. The Cubs are the only team out of contention in the division and have lost three straight following a four-game winning streak.
TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, WGN (Chicago)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs LH Travis Wood (7-6, 4.62 ERA) vs. Reds RH Johnny Cueto (8-6, 1.99)
Wood has not been nearly as consistent as he was a year ago and is coming off one of his rockiest outings of the season. He lasted only 3 2/3 innings and allowed three runs and seven hits Wednesday at Boston, extending his winless streak to three starts. Wood was drafted by the Reds in 2005, spent his first two big-league seasons with Cincinnati, and he is 1-4 with a 3.52 ERA in seven starts against his former team since.
Cueto is coming off his first loss in almost a month despite recording his fifth straight quality start in Wednesday's outing at San Diego. He allowed three runs and seven hits over seven innings but was on the wrong end of a 3-0 decision. The All-Star selection is 8-6 with a 2.91 ERA in 19 starts against the Cubs and has won four straight decisions against them dating to 2011.
WALK-OFFS
1. Bruce has 49 homers off left-handed pitchers over the past five seasons, the most in the majors during that span.
2. Cubs OF Justin Ruggiano has recorded five straight multi-hit games and is 18-for-40 in his last 10 contests.
3. Reds 1B/3B Todd Frazier has collected multiple hits in four of his last five games and leads the team with 98 hits.
PREDICTION: Reds 4, Cubs 1