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Since everything's pretty much the same today as yesterday, except for better weather, you're going to get to read all the preview information I posted for Saturday's game again. Or for the first time, if you didn't read it then.
If the Cubs win this game, they not only win this series and win their second series of the year over Cincinnati, but that would mean four wins over the Reds in 2015 in five tries.
That's as many wins as they had against the Reds in 2010 or 2012 -- in 16 games each year.
That's already a distinct improvement. It would also be the 10th win of the season against seven defeats. Last year the Cubs won their 10th game on May 2 -- after 17 losses. Further, it would be their seventh win against a N.L. Central team this year. That May 2 game in 2014 was the Cubs' seventh N.L. Central win last year -- after 11 losses. They'd be 7-4 in the division this year with a win today.
Things are looking up! Play ball -- been waiting since Friday for a game.
Here are today's particulars.
Cubs lineup:
Fowler CF, Soler RF, Rizzo 1B, Bryant 3B, Montero C, Castro SS, Coghlan LF, Arrieta P, Russell 2B
This is the same lineup Joe Maddon posted for Saturday's game.
A day late, but worth the wait. #LetsGo Game preview: http://t.co/OG3tu8DRBQ pic.twitter.com/CVv0D04pzr
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) April 26, 2015
Reds lineup:
Hamilton CF, Votto 1B, Frazier 3B, Phillips 2B, Boesch RF, Byrd LF, Cozart SS, Pena C, DeSclafani P
Reds manager Bryan Price is also using the same lineup he posted for Saturday's game.
Today's Starting Pitchers |
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Another rematch from last week. In that game April 14, Anthony DeSclafani threw seven shutout innings and gave up only two singles. Meanwhile, Jake Arrieta had only one rough inning, the fourth where the Reds scored all their runs and five of the seven hits they made off Arrieta. Welington Castillo hit a two-run homer off former Cub Kevin Gregg in the eighth. So that's what we can hope for, another poor outing from Gregg in relief.
Seriously, DeSchlafani is pretty good. He is currently leading the N.L. with an 0.86 ERA, just two runs allowed in 21 innings, and he's averaging seven innings per start and has walked only four.
The Cubs will need to be on their hitting game to win this one.
Today's game is on WGN. For coverage info in other Midwest markets click here (link opens .pdf).
Here is the complete MLB.com Mediacenter for today.
Baseball-reference.com game preview
Please visit our SB Nation Reds site Red Reporter. Be careful over there, though.
Once again for 2015, we are going to have the same game-thread routine as the last couple of years. Here's how it works.
You'll find the game preview -- like this one -- posting as the first link in the StoryStream™, which will then contain all the overflow threads and the recap. The recap will also be on the front page as a separate post; once I post a game recap, the stream for each game will be retitled "Cubs vs. (Team) (Day of Week) Game Threads" so you can go back and find every thread related to that particular game.
In general, game previews will post two hours before game time. Exception: for most day games after night games, that will usually be 90 minutes.
You will also be able to find the First Pitch Thread and all the overflow threads in the box marked "Chicago Cubs Game Threads" at the bottom of the front page (you can also find them in this section link). They will also appear in this StoryStream™. As I've done for each regular-season game for several years now, we'll have the First Pitch thread at five minutes before game time (moved up from actual game time per your requests), then an overflow one hour, two hours and 2:45 after game time.
Discuss amongst yourselves.