Bleed Cubbie Blue - Cubs vs. Reds Saturday game threadsA Chicago Cubs Fan Community Since February 9, 2005https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47557/cubbieblue.png2018-06-23T19:35:01-05:00http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/rss/stream/172363212018-06-23T19:35:01-05:002018-06-23T19:35:01-05:00Reds 11, Cubs 2: You don’t want to read this recap...
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<figcaption>The only real Cubs highlight of this awful game | David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>... unless you want to hear the details of the worst Cubs game of 2018.</p> <p id="6q2888">Saturday afternoon’s <a href="http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/boxscore.jsp?gid=2018_06_23_chnmlb_cinmlb_1">11-2 Cubs loss to the Reds</a> was, without question, the worst, most dispiriting defeat of the season so far.</p>
<p id="PJQftr">I’m a little bit sanguine about this one. These things are going to happen even to the best of teams. Remember the 2016 Cubs, the 103-win <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/world-series">World Series</a> champions? They lost 15 of 20 at one point in June and early July, and during that stretch got swept by the <a href="https://www.amazinavenue.com/">Mets</a> and were outscored 34-11 in that series. Last year the Cubs got swept by the awful <a href="https://www.gaslampball.com/">Padres</a> and scored only five runs in three games, and later on in the season lost two of three to the 96-loss <a href="https://www.thegoodphight.com/">Phillies</a>, who were on a run winning nine of 12.</p>
<p id="EQWvsm">It happens. Good teams get defeated by bad teams all the time, and the bad team makes itself look good and the good team looks like it doesn’t even belong.</p>
<p id="oYiU6g">That’s what this one was, and the Cubs will recover from this. They’re too good not to.</p>
<p id="5jF3iW">The game might have been held in check when <span>Luke Farrell</span> had to leave at what I presume was a pitch limit of about 50. It was 2-1 Reds in the third, and there were two out and only one runner was on base. All <span>Brian Duensing</span> had to do was retire one more hitter...</p>
<p id="cSvLnm">... but Duensing was awful, the first five hitters against him all reached base, culminated by a grand slam by Reds pitcher <span>Anthony DeSclafani</span>.</p>
<p id="XPZjLu">Know how long it had been since a pitcher had hit a slam against the Cubs?</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">2 grand slams allowed by <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cubs?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cubs</a> this season. Both in last 3 days vs Reds.<br><br>Anthony DeSclafani is first pitcher to hit a grand slam vs Cubs since Denny Neagle 6/27/1995</p>— Christopher Kamka (@ckamka) <a href="https://twitter.com/ckamka/status/1010643928956198912?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 23, 2018</a>
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<p id="257b50">And if you think that’s a long time...</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">DeSclafani's first career grand slam, the first by a Reds pitcher since Bob Purkey on 8/1/1959 vs Cubs.</p>— Reds Media Relations (@RedsPR) <a href="https://twitter.com/RedsPR/status/1010632624694611969?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 23, 2018</a>
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<p id="5Tlp4T">Yikes. That’s almost 59 years and two Reds ballparks ago, that one was hit in Crosley Field in <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CIN/CIN195908010.shtml">a similar Reds blowout win (12-3)</a>. Just how long ago was that? <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/purkebo01.shtml">Bob Purkey</a> died 10 years ago.</p>
<p id="5oXpON">Duensing, who had a 1.93 ERA as of June 2, has now allowed 12 earned runs in his last five outings covering 4⅔ innings. That, my friends, is an ERA of 23.14 for those five games, with two homers allowed, and his season ERA is now 6.17. Yikes, again. Methinks Mr. Duensing might benefit from a disabled list stint.</p>
<p id="iTJFzf">There are a handful of Cubs things worth looking at from this game, so let’s do that. </p>
<p id="Zwxsst">First, <span>Tommy La Stella</span> showed <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Cubs/videos/10156237235435659/">some Javy-like defense [VIDEO]</a>.</p>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/Cubs/videos/10156237235435659/">La Stella falls into stands making great catch</a><p>La Stellar defense!</p>Posted by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Cubs/">Chicago Cubs</a> on Saturday, June 23, 2018</blockquote></div>
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<p id="zOPIm4">That was in the bottom of the first inning when it was just 2-0 Reds. </p>
<p id="cDTSgX"><span>Willson Contreras</span> made it 2-1 in the top of the second with <a href="https://www.mlb.com/video/contreras-solo-home-run/c-2187633983">his fifth homer of the year [VIDEO]</a>.</p>
<div id="LtxKAF"><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/contreras-solo-home-run/c-2187633983" 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="H4bT44">That was Willson’s first home run since May 12 against the <a href="https://www.southsidesox.com/">White Sox</a>, so he’d played 32 games between home runs. Hopefully this will get him going; the Cubs need <em>someone, anyone</em> to get going with some power.</p>
<p id="ipELJO">After <span>Billy Hamilton</span> led off the sixth with a single off <span>Rob Zastryzny</span> and stole second base, Rob Z. left with an undisclosed injury:</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Rob Zastryzny leaves the game due to injury in the 6th.<br><br>We will update his condition when information is available. <a href="https://t.co/xf4gflKMgY">pic.twitter.com/xf4gflKMgY</a></p>— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) <a href="https://twitter.com/Cubs/status/1010647199292821505?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 23, 2018</a>
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<p id="zCelSc">I would expect a possible DL stint to begin Sunday, and with a DL stint a player just sent down doesn’t have to be down 10 days, so <span>Justin Hancock</span> could be recalled. We’ll find out in the morning, I’d think.</p>
<p id="50g8Fl">To save what’s left of a beleaguered bullpen, <span>Chris Gimenez</span> threw the eighth inning. He gave up a single and a walk, got a line drive out to left and then a strikeout:</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Gimenez strikes out Tucker Barnhart, throwing 84 mph.</p>— Paul Sullivan (@PWSullivan) <a href="https://twitter.com/PWSullivan/status/1010658029203750912?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 23, 2018</a>
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<p id="1vWVvf">However, <span>Joey Votto</span> then put the exclamation point on the game for the Reds by smashing a three-run homer off a “fastball” measured at 67 miles per hour. Have your fun, Reds. It won’t last forever.</p>
<p id="KUZLHs">As of this writing, it’s still uncertain who will start the series finale Sunday, where the Cubs will try to salvage one game of this four-game set. <span>Tyler Chatwood</span> could go, if his wife doesn’t go into labor with their first child. If not, <span>Mike Montgomery</span> will likely start for the Cubs, also on normal rest — both Chatwood and Montgomery threw in the doubleheader Tuesday. <span>Sal Romano</span> will start for the Reds. Game time is 12:10 p.m. CT and TV coverage is via NBC Sports Chicago.</p>
https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2018/6/23/17497982/cubs-reds-recap-tommy-la-stella-chris-gimenez-mlb-scoresAl Yellon2018-06-23T17:10:01-05:002018-06-23T17:10:01-05:00Overflow thread 2: Cubs vs. Reds, Saturday 6/23, 3:10 CT
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<figcaption>Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p id="iciDv2">——</p>
https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2018/6/23/17472248/overflow-thread-2-cubs-vs-reds-saturday-6-23-3-10-ctAl Yellon2018-06-23T16:10:01-05:002018-06-23T16:10:01-05:00Overflow thread 1: Cubs vs. Reds, Saturday 6/23, 3:10 CT
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<figcaption>Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p id="iciDv2">——</p>
https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2018/6/23/17472240/overflow-thread-1-cubs-vs-reds-saturday-6-23-3-10-ctAl Yellon2018-06-23T15:05:02-05:002018-06-23T15:05:02-05:00First pitch thread: Cubs vs. Reds, Saturday 6/23, 3:10 CT
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<figcaption>Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p id="9Xaj11">Go get ‘em, Luke.</p>
https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2018/6/23/17470524/first-pitch-thread-cubs-vs-reds-saturday-6-23-3-10-ctAl Yellon2018-06-23T13:00:02-05:002018-06-23T13:00:02-05:00Chicago Cubs vs. Cincinnati Reds preview, Saturday 6/23, 3:10 CT
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<figcaption>Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The Cubs once again will look to defeat the Reds.</p> <p id="EZ8NNm"><a href="https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lon=-84.50760070234537&lat=39.096998023131164#.Wy440RJKjKI">Today’s weather forecast for Cincinnati</a> is more promising than the last couple of days, only about a 20-30 percent chance of storms.</p>
<p id="p9N3tU">However, the last time the Cubs were in a weather situation like this and I didn’t post the local radar here, there was a rain delay, as I recall. So, for little-stitious sake, here’s the Cincinnati-area radar again:</p>
<div id="VOiwlX"><center><img src="https://radar.weather.gov/lite/NCR/ILN_loop.gif"></center></div>
<p id="wxZ6yS">Hopefully, this will not be needed this afternoon.</p>
<p id="8PVajF">Let’s talk about <span>Kris Bryant</span> for a moment.</p>
<p id="FsUIh0">KB homered in two straight games the last time the Cubs were in Cincinnati. Through the first game of the doubleheader May 19 he was hitting .311/.428/.595 (1.023 OPS) with eight home runs and 28 strikeouts through 148 at-bats, a strikeout rate of 18.9 percent.</p>
<p id="JBnEni">Since then: .241/.321/.336 (.657 OPS) with one home run and 38 strikeouts in 116 at-bats, a K rate of 32.8 percent.</p>
<p id="49flBA">That last stretch isn’t a small sample size anymore, it’s almost as many at-bats as he had prior. Something’s off with KB and I’m not sure what it is, but his power has diminished and strikeouts have increased at an alarming rate. Further, he’s not drawing walks, either, as his OBP in the second stretch is down over 100 points.</p>
<p id="3mzNEU">Hopefully he comes out of this soon. No matter where he’s batting in the lineup, his offense is needed.</p>
<p id="wzjlla">Site note: I am going to be out for a while early this evening, so today’s game recap will likely be delayed from the end of the game. It will post sometime this evening, though.</p>
<p id="7MgCNp">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 today's <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cubs?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cubs</a> starting lineup.<br><br>Game preview: <a href="https://t.co/XpsLZhLdIa">https://t.co/XpsLZhLdIa</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EverybodyIn?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EverybodyIn</a> <a href="https://t.co/YdPHE2OBcF">pic.twitter.com/YdPHE2OBcF</a></p>— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) <a href="https://twitter.com/Cubs/status/1010546813403836416?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 23, 2018</a>
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<p id="h3B8bc"><a href="https://www.redreporter.com/">Reds</a> lineup:</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Here's how the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Reds?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Reds</a> will line up against the Cubs this afternoon. ➡️ <a href="https://t.co/VnGghPevIS">https://t.co/VnGghPevIS</a> <a href="https://t.co/FCOkkRbm6i">pic.twitter.com/FCOkkRbm6i</a></p>— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) <a href="https://twitter.com/Reds/status/1010567613439791104?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 23, 2018</a>
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<span>Luke Farrell</span>, RHP vs. <span>Anthony DeSclafani</span>, RHP</h2>
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<cite>Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports</cite>
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<cite>Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports</cite>
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<p id="mDfpu2">Luke Farrell’s only big-league start was his major-league debut, <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/KCA/KCA201707011.shtml">July 1, 2017</a> with the <a href="https://www.royalsreview.com/">Royals</a> against the <a href="https://www.twinkietown.com/">Twins</a>. It did not go well.</p>
<p id="BbZPBr">In August 2017, Farrell was claimed on waivers by the Reds (after a brief stop in the <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> organization) and made 10 relief appearances for them, mostly good. And he’s been mostly good for the Cubs this year, too. He threw 76 pitches in a five-inning relief appearance in the 14-inning win over the <a href="https://www.amazinavenue.com/">Mets</a> <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/NYN/NYN201806020.shtml">June 2</a>, and so he’s the choice to start this game.</p>
<p id="qoeG95">He’s obviously never faced the Reds or anyone on their current roster, so perhaps that’s an advantage for him. Theoretically, he should be able to go five innings, then the pen can take over, hopefully with the lead. His last outing was last Sunday against the <a href="https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/">Cardinals</a>, so he should be well-rested, at least.</p>
<p id="yZoepN">Anthony DeSclafani suffered an oblique injury in spring training and missed more than two months. This was after missing all of last year (except for three rehab starts) with elbow issues.</p>
<p id="67K0rZ">He’s made three starts this year and the results have been middling: 4.60 ERA, 1.468 WHIP. The last time he faced the Cubs was <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CHN/CHN201607060.shtml">July 6, 2016 at Wrigley Field</a>; he threw six credible innings that day.</p>
<p id="pibvlV">In short, ¯\_(ツ)_/¯</p>
<p id="Mg9Q9i">Also, both of these guys should smile for their photos!</p>
<p id="q8soWX">Today’s game is on ABC7 Chicago.</p>
<p id="47IVCe"><a href="https://www.mlb.com/live-stream-games/2018/06/23">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_23_chnmlb_cinmlb_1">MLB.com Gameday</a></p>
<p id="iDRiK8"><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/previews/2018/CIN201806230.shtml">Baseball-reference.com game preview</a></p>
<p id="AScVZw"><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mlb/events/536806/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/2018/6/23/17470488/chicago-cubs-cincinnati-reds-preview-saturdayAl Yellon