On The Horizon: Cubs vs. Reds series preview

The Cubs head out on their first road trip of the shortened 2020 season. BCB’s Sara Sanchez will have more on the postponement of the Marlins/Orioles and Yankees/Phillies games due to COVID-19 positive tests later this afternoon. As of now, the Cubs will play Monday evening:

In the meantime, here’s a look at this year’s Reds from Wick Terrell, manager of our SB Nation Reds site Red Reporter:

The Cincinnati Reds, like the rest of the baseball world, have tried navigating this pandemic to the best of their abilities, yet just three games into the season are already up against it. Mike Moustakas and Nick Senzel were preventive scratches from Sunday’s series finale against the Detroit Tigers, and while we’ve yet to get confirmation of any positive COVID-19 tests, the reality is that even a hint that a player might have it is enough to remove them from action.

As it stands, the Reds pack a starting rotation that can go toe to toe with the best in the game, and despite the bullpen implosions over the first weekend, that’s still the case. The offense, headlined by Eugenio Suarez and Joey Votto, got boosts in the offseason from the additions of Moose, former Cub Nick Castellanos, and Shogo Akiyama, and should, in theory, be a strength at some point soon.

All told, it’s a club that should be formidable if and when it gets up and running on all cylinders. The big question on this first Monday of the season, though, is if the season will chug on long enough for that to actually materialize.

Fun fact

From 2010 through 2014, the Cubs were 28-60 against the Reds.

From 2015 through 2019, the Cubs were 59-36 against the Reds.

This roughly corresponds to years of good play by each team. The Reds were a playoff team three times in the first span, the Cubs were a playoff team four times in the second.

Now that they’re both contending teams... what happens?

Pitching matchups

Monday: Jon Lester, LHP (2020 season debut) vs. Wade Miley, LHP (2020 season debut)

Tuesday: Alec Mills, RHP (2020 season debut) vs. Tyler Mahle, RHP (2020 season debut)

Wednesday: Kyle Hendricks, RHP (1-0, 0.00 ERA, 0.333 WHIP, 0.89 FIP) vs. Sonny Gray, RHP (1-0, 1.50 ERA, 0.833 WHIP, 3.06 FIP)

Thursday: Yu Darvish, RHP (0-1, 6.75 ERA, 1.500 WHIP, 1.14 FIP) vs. Luis Castillo, RHP (0-0, 1.50 ERA, 1.167 WHIP, -0.17 FIP — no, that’s not a typo, Castillo has a negative FIP)

Times & TV channels

Monday: 5:40 p.m. CT, Marquee Sports Network

Tuesday: 5:40 p.m. CT, Marquee Sports Network

Wednesday: 5:40 p.m. CT, Marquee Sports Network

Thursday: 5:10 p.m. CT, Marquee Sports Network

Prediction

The Reds are a pretty good team, despite losing two of three to the Tigers in their opening series. I’d be happy if the Cubs split these four games.

Up next

The Cubs return to Wrigley Field for a three-game series against the Pirates beginning Friday evening.