Bleed Cubbie Blue - Cubs vs. Reds Thursday game threadsA Chicago Cubs Fan Community Since February 9, 2005https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47557/cubbieblue.png2018-06-22T08:00:07-05:00http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/rss/stream/172363132018-06-22T08:00:07-05:002018-06-22T08:00:07-05:00Reds 6, Cubs 2: You can’t win ‘em all
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<figcaption>David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Cubs dropped the first of a four-game set in Cincinnati.</p> <p id="KWb7sW"><a href="http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/boxscore.jsp?gid=2018_06_21_chnmlb_cinmlb_1">The Reds defeated the Cubs 6-2 Thursday evening.</a></p>
<p id="TO2Bcm">Really, I could stop right here and you’d probably be just as happy with this recap as reading what’s below. But you come here for a game recap after each game, and by goodness, you are going to get one.</p>
<p id="OLGRcz">The game turned, obviously, on one inning, the bottom of the sixth. The Cubs and <span>Kyle Hendricks</span> had nursed a 2-0 lead, provided by a two-run double by <span>Javier Baez</span> in the third, that far into the game.</p>
<p id="hRTRyi">But Hendricks, who had struggled with location and command even while keeping the Reds scoreless through five (especially in a 28-pitch first inning), had a worse time in the sixth. </p>
<p id="vAKveV"><span>Billy Hamilton</span> led off with a walk. Right there you know things aren’t good, because Hendricks usually has impeccable control and Hamilton is nearly impossible to walk. Hamilton stole second, but Hendricks retired the next two hitters. Then he walked <span>Joey Votto</span>, no shame there, Votto is an outstanding hitter who draws lots of walks. <span>Scooter Gennett</span> singled, but Hamilton held at third, loading the bases.</p>
<p id="6WnZO6">Then Hendricks walked <span>Eugenio Suarez</span>, making it 2-1. </p>
<p id="iscafR">With Hendricks’ lack of command, Joe Maddon decided to bring in <span>Randy Rosario</span> to throw to lefthanded-hitting Jesse Winker. This is a completely defensible decision; lefty vs. lefty, Rosario’s been very good so far this year.</p>
<p id="7JBs3m">Only this time, he wasn’t; it took just two pitches to turn a 2-1 Cubs lead into a 5-2 Reds lead on Winker’s grand slam.</p>
<p id="26wgXH">Rosario got worse from there, allowing three more singles that made it 6-2. It was his worst outing as a Cub, and just the second time in 13 appearances that he’d been scored on. It happens.</p>
<p id="SAKqcD">The Cubs did have a chance to get back in the game; with two out in the seventh, <span>Kris Bryant</span> singled and <span>Jason Heyward</span> doubled. Baez, up next, sliced two balls down the right-field line that landed just foul. Either would have scored two runs if fair, but they weren’t. Baez did wind up drawing a walk to load the bases, and here’s how rare that is:</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Javier Báez: 5 walks (4 unintentional) in last 10 games.<br>And that includes 2 games he didn't start and one where he left after one plate appearance (HBP) <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cubs?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cubs</a></p>— Christopher Kamka (@ckamka) <a href="https://twitter.com/ckamka/status/1009975258193985536?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 22, 2018</a>
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<p id="wdBL7A">Give Javy credit for a really good at-bat, eight pitches’ worth.</p>
<p id="tzwFlf"><span>Anthony Rizzo</span> was next, and he was called out on strikes on <a href="https://www.mlb.com/video/garretts-clutch-strikeout/c-2180365483">a really close pitch [VIDEO]</a>.</p>
<div id="jnhtwH"><div style="max-width: 960px;"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.2493%;"><iframe src="https://www.mlb.com/video/share/garretts-clutch-strikeout/c-2180365483" style="border: 0; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;" allowfullscreen="" scrolling="no"></iframe></div></div></div>
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<p id="5xuRXN">Reds lefty <span>Amir Garrett</span> had gotten into a scuffle with Baez on a similar play in the Cubs’ last series at GABP, but this time nothing happened. The Cubs also had a pair of runners on base with two out in the eighth (walk by <span>Kyle Schwarber</span>, single by <span>Ian Happ</span>), but pinch-hitter <span>Albert Almora Jr.</span> struck out.</p>
<p id="5yZDvt"><a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-spt-cubs-reds-20180621-story.html">I think I’ll let Joe Maddon sum this one up:</a></p>
<blockquote><p id="MGYcOp">“It happens, man,” Maddon said. “We just had an emotionally tough series. Give us a day. We’ll be back (Friday).”</p></blockquote>
<p id="5obHj1">And so they will.</p>
<p id="uYJ9YB">Before I move on to Friday’s details, props to Jason Heyward, who had his second four-hit game this month. J-Hey is hitting .324/.361/.515 (22-for-68) in June with seven doubles and two home runs. </p>
<p id="Qz4Mxm">It’s also good that after Rosario’s bad outing, <span>Rob Zastryzny</span> and <span>Justin Hancock</span> finished up with scoreless innings, giving the rest of the pen the night off. Zastryzny is expected to head back to Iowa today, as <span>Brian Duensing</span> returns from the bereavement list.</p>
<p id="vc75sr">Friday, <a href="https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lon=-84.50717255473138&lat=39.09708909339162#.WyzgLBJKjKI">weather permitting</a>, the teams will play the second of this four-game set. <span>Jose Quintana</span> will go for the Cubs and <span>Luis Castillo</span> will start for the Reds. Game time is 6:10 p.m. CT and TV coverage Friday is on WGN.</p>
https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2018/6/22/17492226/cubs-reds-recap-jason-heyward-randy-rosario-mlb-scoresAl Yellon2018-06-21T20:10:01-05:002018-06-21T20:10:01-05:00Overflow thread 2: Cubs vs. Reds, Thursday 6/21, 6:10 CT
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<figcaption>Jim Young-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p id="zRomim">——</p>
https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2018/6/21/17472218/overflow-thread-2-cubs-vs-reds-thursday-6-21-6-10-ctAl Yellon2018-06-21T19:10:02-05:002018-06-21T19:10:02-05:00Overflow thread 1: Cubs vs. Reds, Thursday 6/21, 6:10 CT
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<figcaption>Jim Young-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p id="zRomim">——</p>
https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2018/6/21/17472216/overflow-thread-1-cubs-vs-reds-thursday-6-21-6-10-ctAl Yellon2018-06-21T18:05:01-05:002018-06-21T18:05:01-05:00First pitch thread: Cubs vs. Reds, Thursday 6/21, 6:10 CT
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<figcaption>Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p id="9Xaj11">Go get ‘em, Kyle.</p>
https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2018/6/21/17470510/first-pitch-thread-cubs-vs-reds-thursday-6-21-6-10-ctAl Yellon2018-06-21T16:00:01-05:002018-06-21T16:00:01-05:00Chicago Cubs vs. Cincinnati Reds preview, Thursday 6/21, 6:10 CT
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<figcaption>Jim Young-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Cubs won three of four last time they were in Cincinnati.</p> <p id="EZ8NNm">Oh, joy. Here we go again! <a href="https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lon=-84.50739350169897&lat=39.097523887213555#.WyukiBJKjmI">Rain might interrupt tonight’s game.</a></p>
<div id="beQOaO"><center><img src="https://radar.weather.gov/lite/NCR/ILN_loop.gif"></center></div>
<p id="JmRwYo">Before I get to Cubs notes, I wanted to mention that the <a href="https://www.brewcrewball.com/">Brewers</a> and <a href="https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/">Cardinals</a> open a four-game series tonight in St. Louis. Normally, when you have two divisional rivals like that playing a four-game set you’d root for a split. In this case, though, I think I’d like to see the Cardinals take three of four, since the Cubs are 4½ games ahead of St. Louis and if the Cubs can take care of business in Cincinnati, they’d wind up with a significant lead over both the Brewers and Cardinals. Plus, the Brewers’ next six games after this weekend are against the <a href="https://www.royalsreview.com/">Royals</a> and Reds, so it would be good to see Milwaukee lose a few in St. Louis.</p>
<p id="KmUgFa">Remember, you are not rooting for the Cardinals to win. You are rooting for the Brewers to lose.</p>
<p id="dhriXo">Cubs notes:</p>
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<li id="Oki4tq">In their last 23 games since May 27, the Cubs are 16-1 when scoring at least two runs in a game. The team has been held to one or no runs in six of seven losses in that span.</li>
<li id="6HUsw0">
<a href="https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=fld&lg=all&qual=0&type=1&season=2018&month=0&season1=2018&ind=0&team=0,ts&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0&sort=8,d">According to Fangraphs.com</a>, Cubs position players have recorded 39 defensive runs saved this season, third-most in the majors behind the <a href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/">Diamondbacks</a> (53) and Brewers (51). Cubs outfielders have logged <a href="https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=of&stats=fld&lg=all&qual=0&type=1&season=2018&month=0&season1=2018&ind=0&team=0,ts&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0&sort=8,d">19 defensive runs saved</a>, fifth-most among big league outfield corps (Arizona leads with 29).</li>
<li id="Or48jY">
<span>Javier Baez</span> is looking to become the first Cubs right-handed hitter to reach 15 homers and 15 steals in a season since <span>Alfonso Soriano</span> did so in both 2007 and 2008. The last Cubs second baseman to reach 15 homers and 15 steals was Ryne Sandberg in 1992.</li>
<li id="9MZsdj">
<span>Kyle Schwarber</span> has homered in two consecutive games, and he’s now averaged one home run every 14.71 at bats this season (14 HR/206 AB), the third-best ratio in the N.L. behind <span>Bryce Harper</span> (13.32) and <span>Eugenio Suarez</span> (14.00). Also, Schwarber has averaged one walk every 5.95 plate appearances, the fourth-best mark in the N.L.</li>
<li id="p9Tln4">University of Cincinnati alum <span>Ian Happ</span> is batting .345 (20-for-58) with nine homers, 17 RBI and a 1.420 OPS in 20 career games against the Reds, including a .406 average (13-for-32), five homers and a 1.618 OPS in 10 games at Great American Ball Park.</li>
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<p id="a0KYUP">Here are today’s particulars.</p>
<p id="q5G8aU"><a href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Cubs</a> lineup:</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Here is tonight's <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cubs?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cubs</a> starting lineup against the Reds. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EverybodyIn?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EverybodyIn</a><br><br>Stream on <a href="https://twitter.com/YouTubeTV?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@YouTubeTV</a>: <a href="https://t.co/t4XvcdoeJc">https://t.co/t4XvcdoeJc</a> <a href="https://t.co/gH30GdHUGh">pic.twitter.com/gH30GdHUGh</a></p>— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) <a href="https://twitter.com/Cubs/status/1009864790859280384?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 21, 2018</a>
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<p id="h3B8bc">See above for the reason Ian Happ is starting and <span>Albert Almora Jr.</span> isn’t.</p>
<p id="miiNHd"><a href="https://www.redreporter.com/">Reds</a> lineup:</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Tonight's <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Reds?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Reds</a> lineup as the Cubbies come to town for a four-game set. ➡️ <a href="https://t.co/l4NVZjQ7Xu">https://t.co/l4NVZjQ7Xu</a> <a href="https://t.co/RNUdKp0Vnn">pic.twitter.com/RNUdKp0Vnn</a></p>— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) <a href="https://twitter.com/Reds/status/1009873397092962306?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 21, 2018</a>
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<p id="3X0zsR"><span>Adam Duvall</span> is hitting .199. <span>Billy Hamilton</span> has a .294 OBP. Since the beginning of 2017 Matt Harvey is 4-for-54 (.074). That’s pretty much a black hole at the bottom of the Reds lineup.</p>
<h2 id="Wt4pVZ">
<span>Kyle Hendricks</span>, RHP vs. <span>Matt Harvey</span>, RHP</h2>
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<cite>Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports</cite>
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<cite>Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports</cite>
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<p id="mDfpu2">Kyle Hendricks is having a decent season. Every time he goes out there you think he’s going to give the team seven innings and induce a lot of weak contact, and every time recently he’s not quite gotten there.</p>
<p id="VP5axV">However. Kyle has been a second-half pitcher most of his career. (3.40 ERA first half, 2.61 ERA second half.) Hopefully that “second half” starts now.</p>
<p id="xVyB0V">His only start against the Reds this year was <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CIN/CIN201805191.shtml">May 19</a>, the first game of a doubleheader that day. He threw five innings and allowed four runs (three earned), partly as a result of some shoddy defense. The Cubs are playing much better defense now.</p>
<p id="ojwFCE">Matt Harvey came to the Reds from the <a href="https://www.amazinavenue.com/">Mets</a> for <span>Devin Mesoraco</span>, in a deal both teams felt a change of scenery might help.</p>
<p id="r746pq">So far, the Mets are getting the better end of this trade. Mesoraco is hitting .235/.330/482 with six home runs in 85 at-bats for the Mets.</p>
<p id="HWPZmn">Harvey? He has a 5.09 ERA and seven home runs allowed in 35⅓ innings as a Red, which is pretty bad. And that’s an <em>improvement</em> over the 7.00 ERA he had with the Mets in eight appearances (four starts) this year. </p>
<p id="T2O9eG">He has made 11 starts this year. Three of them can be described as “good.” The rest range from mediocre to awful. Last four starts: 6.75 ERA, 1.453 WHIP, five home runs in 21⅓ innings. The last time the Cubs faced him, <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CHN/CHN201709130.shtml">September 13, 2017</a> at Wrigley Field, they absolutely pounded him. Current Cubs are hitting .349 (15-for-43) against Harvey with four home runs. </p>
<p id="Bd2gP5">Today’s game is on NBC Sports Chicago. It’s also on MLB Network (outside the Chicago and Cincinnati markets).</p>
<p id="47IVCe"><a href="https://www.mlb.com/live-stream-games/2018/06/21">Here is the complete MLB.com Mediacenter for today.</a></p>
<p id="Xe5URc"><a href="http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2018_06_21_chnmlb_cinmlb_1">MLB.com Gameday</a></p>
<p id="iDRiK8"><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/previews/2018/CIN201806210.shtml">Baseball-reference.com game preview</a></p>
<p id="AScVZw"><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mlb/events/536804/pregame">SB Nation game preview</a></p>
<p id="c01E3n">Please visit our SB Nation <a href="https://www.redreporter.com/">Reds</a> site <a href="http://www.redreporter.com/">Red Reporter</a>. 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.</p>
<p id="4R9cxt">The 2018 Game Thread procedure will be the same as the one used during 2017. Here’s how it works.</p>
<p id="uNrOo7">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).</p>
<p id="Jy7Er2">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.</p>
<p id="F5ehVY">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 <a href="http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/chicago-cubs-game-threads">this section link</a>). They will also appear in the game’s StoryStream as noted above.</p>
<p id="pjBR1E">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.</p>
<p id="uZjqQy">Discuss amongst yourselves.</p>
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https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2018/6/21/17470480/chicago-cubs-cincinnati-reds-preview-thursdayAl Yellon