Chicago Cubs vs. Cincinnati Reds Preview, Friday 6/12, 3:05 CT

Given the Cubs' record against the Reds from 2010-14 (28-60, and 14-31 at Wrigley Field), it's significant, I think, that the Cubs are 5-1 against them so far this year. The Reds have been a contending and playoff team through that period, and now seem to be in decline, while the Cubs are starting what we hope is an ascent into their own period of being a contending and playoff team.

It's gratifying in any case, but particularly against the Reds, whose broadcasters have made a cottage industry out of dissing the Cubs and Cubs fans. Anything that makes the Brennamans unhappy is cool with me.

Now let's just hope the weather cooperates.

Here are today's particulars.

Cubs lineup:

Fowler CF, Rizzo 1B, Bryant 3B, Montero C, Castro SS, Coghlan LF, Denorfia RF, Hammel P, Russell 2B

Hammel vs. Cueto! #LetsGo Game preview: http://t.co/CpiCDsFTuM pic.twitter.com/Id3vlSBB56

— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) June 12, 2015

Reds lineup:

Schumaker LF, De Jesus 2B, Votto 1B, Frazier 3B, Bruce RF, Pena C, Suarez SS, Cueto P, Hamilton CF

Today's Starting Pitchers

Jason Hammel Cubs vs. Johnny Cueto Reds vs. Cin -- vs. Cubs

Oddly enough, even with the Reds being a Cubs divisional opponent and Jason Hammel having made 28 starts for the Cubs in 2014 and 2015, he has not faced the Reds as a member of the Cubs. Thus he hasn't pitched against them since 2011, when he was with the Rockies, not really relevant to today. Current members of the Reds are a small-sample-size 10-for-42 (.238) against Hammel with one home run (Joey Votto). Hammel, who has been the Cubs' most consistent starter all year, will have to be good, because his opponent is...

Reds ace Johnny Cueto has been his usual "ace" self this year. Seven or more innings in 10 of his 11 starts, only 14 walks in 78⅓ innings, nine or more strikeouts four times... the Cubs will have to be very, very good today to get to him. Current Cubs are 22-for-108 (.204) against Cueto with two home runs (Chris Coghlan, Anthony Rizzo).

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.

MLB.com Gameday

Baseball-reference.com game preview

SB Nation game preview

Please visit our SB Nation Reds site Red Reporter. If you do go there to interact with Reds fans, please be respectful, abide by their individual site rules and serve as a good representation of Cub fans in general and BCB in particular.

The 2015 Game Thread procedure has changed a bit. Here's how it will work going forward.

You'll find the game preview posted separately on the front page, two hours before game time (90 minutes for some early day games following night games).

At the same time, a StoryStream™ containing the preview will also post on the front page. The First Pitch Thread and all the overflow threads will be published in that stream, as well as the recap. The recap will also live on the front page as a separate post, and at the time I write the recap I will rename the stream "Cubs vs. (Team) (Day of Week) Game Threads" so you can go back and find every thread related to that particular game.

You will also be able to find the preview, First Pitch Thread, all the overflow threads and recap 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 the game's StoryStream™ as noted above.

The First Pitch thread will post at five minutes before game time, then an overflow thread at one hour, two hours and 2:45 after the scheduled game time.

Discuss amongst yourselves.