Bleed Cubbie Blue - Cubs vs. Reds Friday game threadsA Chicago Cubs Fan Community Since February 9, 2005https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47557/cubbieblue.png2018-07-06T17:44:37-05:00http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/rss/stream/172915092018-07-06T17:44:37-05:002018-07-06T17:44:37-05:00Reds 3, Cubs 2: What is it with the Reds?
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<p>The Cubs just cannot solve Cincinnati.</p> <p id="Y0fhp1">I wish I could explain it. I’m sure Joe Maddon wishes <em>h</em>e could explain it.</p>
<p id="lIMb0h">Let’s put it this way. The <a href="https://www.redreporter.com/">Reds</a> aren’t a bad team, not anymore. They’ve got some guys who can legitimately hit, they’ve got a couple of decent young starters and the back end of their bullpen is pretty good.</p>
<p id="YNGSSa">And since June 9 they are the best team in the National League, no joke, after their <a href="http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/boxscore.jsp?gid=2018_07_06_cinmlb_chnmlb_1">3-2 win over the Cubs</a> Friday afternoon they are 17-6 in that time frame. Over that same period the Cubs are just 12-12, and their six-game winning streak ended with the defeat.</p>
<p id="SaJ5o3">I mean... <span>Mike Montgomery</span> didn’t pitch all that badly, except for some walks and two hit batters that got him in trouble in the third and fourth innings, he just didn’t throw well enough to win. The Cubs pen did a good job, throwing four scoreless innings, allowing three hits and two walks and striking out five, including a pair of K’s from <span>Justin Wilson</span> with a runner on second and one out in the ninth. That was K’s of pretty good hitters, too, <span>Scooter Gennett</span> and <span>Joey Votto</span>.</p>
<p id="YmrH2W">The Cubs just couldn’t get enough offense going. They had a chance with runners on first and second with one out in the second: double play by <span>Willson Contreras</span>.</p>
<p id="t4WovH">They did score a run to make it 3-1 in the fifth, on a bloop double by Contreras. Two groundouts scored Willson; that’s good, but it’s not real efficient.</p>
<p id="2sADO4">In the seventh, the Cubs had two runners on with two out and <span>Albert Almora Jr.</span> popped up to end the inning.</p>
<p id="IuZlq2">Finally, it appeared they had something going in the eighth. <span>Javier Baez</span> and <span>Anthony Rizzo</span> singled with one out, and a <span>Ben Zobrist</span> sac fly made it 3-2. Rizzo tagged at first and took second on that out, a nice hustle play, but after <span>Kyle Schwarber</span> was intentionally passed, Contreras grounded out to end the inning.</p>
<p id="5ofTHu">The last three batters in that inning faced Reds closer Raisel Iglesias. That’s just the second time all year he’s thrown more than 1⅓ innings and the first time he was asked to post a five-out save.</p>
<p id="5lvn28">Not many in the sellout crowd of 41,434 had departed by the time the last of the ninth began. Happ singled with one out and took second on a ground out by pinch-hitter <span>Victor Caratini</span>.</p>
<p id="WqaCHQ">Up stepped <span>Jason Heyward</span>, who had hit the ball hard for outs three times earlier in the game. His medium fly to left ended it, and we were left to wonder what the Cubs have to do to beat the Reds, against whom they’ve lost five in a row and are 3-7 this year.</p>
<p id="zyUVGy">The game might have been quite different had the wind not been blowing in at 18 miles per hour. Several fly balls hit by both teams might have left the yard had it been one of the hot, sticky days from earlier this week, but wind knocked pretty much everything down Friday afternoon, which apart from the wind was probably the nicest day we’ve had all summer, pleasant temps in the low 70s and no humidity. That’s small consolation for the loss. </p>
<p id="qJOsE5">One thing that is worth a look from this one is <a href="https://www.mlb.com/video/heywards-superb-diving-grab/c-2238684683?tid=182435092">this fantastic diving catch [VIDEO]</a> made by Heyward in the sixth inning.</p>
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<p id="w9Q6yl">You can see <span>Jose Peraza</span>, who Heyward robbed, giving J-Hey props. Heyward might have gone 0-for-5 in this one, but his defense is still top-notch.</p>
<p id="hwikZP">Montgomery has the right attitude, I think:</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cubs?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cubs</a> Montgomery: "We had a good run, six-game win streak. We lose one and we just move on."</p>— Carrie Muskat (@CarrieMuskat) <a href="https://twitter.com/CarrieMuskat/status/1015362041798946817?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 6, 2018</a>
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<p id="lndqws">This is exactly right. Eventually the Cubs will figure out how to defeat the Reds. Perhaps as soon as tomorrow! That would be nice, right?</p>
<p id="zIABEz">It’s <span>Tyler Chatwood</span>’s turn again to show that he still belongs in the rotation. He’ll start for the Cubs against a newly rejuvenated <span>Matt Harvey</span> for the Reds. Game time Saturday is 1:20 p.m. CT and TV coverage is via NBC Sports Chicago.</p>
https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2018/7/6/17542848/cubs-reds-recap-mike-montgomery-jason-heyward-mlb-scoresAl Yellon2018-07-06T15:20:02-05:002018-07-06T15:20:02-05:00Overflow thread 2: Cubs vs. Reds, Friday 7/6, 1:20 CT
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<figcaption>Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p id="NXP9RB">——</p>
https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2018/7/6/17525138/overflow-thread-2-cubs-vs-reds-friday-7-6-1-20-ctAl Yellon2018-07-06T14:20:01-05:002018-07-06T14:20:01-05:00Overflow thread 1: Cubs vs. Reds, Friday 7/6, 1:20 CT
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<figcaption>Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p id="NXP9RB">——</p>
https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2018/7/6/17525132/overflow-thread-1-cubs-vs-reds-friday-7-6-1-20-ctAl Yellon2018-07-06T13:15:01-05:002018-07-06T13:15:01-05:00First pitch thread: Cubs vs. Reds, Friday 7/6, 1:20 CT
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<figcaption>Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p id="mka124">Go get ‘em, Mike.</p>
https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2018/7/6/17525106/first-pitch-thread-cubs-vs-reds-friday-7-6-1-20-ctAl Yellon2018-07-06T11:30:02-05:002018-07-06T11:30:02-05:00Chicago Cubs vs. Cincinnati Reds preview, Friday 7/6, 1:20 CT
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<figcaption>Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Cubs go for their seventh consecutive victory.</p> <p id="nCRb6v">Friday notes:</p>
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<li id="QPBQuz">Each of the Cubs’ last seven wins since June 26 have been of the come-from-behind variety. The team’s 26 such victories this season are tied for the most in the majors with the <a href="https://www.thegoodphight.com/">Phillies</a>. In those seven wins, the Cubs three times have overcome one-run deficits, once erased a two-run deficit and on three occasions have erased deficits of three runs, </li>
<li id="Mo59Tt">Today is the sixth of a three-team, eight-game homestand against the <a href="https://www.twinkietown.com/">Twins</a> (3-0), <a href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/">Tigers</a> (2-0) and Reds (three games beginning today). The Cubs are 26-14 (.650) at Wrigley Field thus far, with the 40 home games played tied for the fewest of any team in the majors (<a href="https://www.purplerow.com/">Rockies</a>) and the .650 home winning percentage is third-best in the N.L.</li>
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<span>Javier Baez</span> has become the first Cubs middle infielder to reach 16 homers before the All-Star break since Ryne Sandberg, who had 24 homers at the break in 1990. Javy is the first player in franchise history with at least 20 doubles, five triples, 15 homers and 60 RBI prior to the All-Star break.</li>
<li id="CtKTTl">The Cubs were 16-15 with a +21 run differential through May 6. Since May 7, the Cubs have gone 33-20 with a +83 run differential, outscoring opponents 283-200 during that stretch.</li>
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<p id="M3sIuS">Here are today’s particulars.</p>
<p id="Vergm4"><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. <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/6Fo7MmJtzN">pic.twitter.com/6Fo7MmJtzN</a></p>— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) <a href="https://twitter.com/Cubs/status/1015240475689803776?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 6, 2018</a>
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<p id="qkc1QJ"><a href="https://www.redreporter.com/">Reds</a> lineup: </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">The <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Reds?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Reds</a> look to stay hot in the first of three straight matinées at Wrigley. <a href="https://t.co/2R3Eoukyin">pic.twitter.com/2R3Eoukyin</a></p>— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) <a href="https://twitter.com/Reds/status/1015242412476813312?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 6, 2018</a>
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<span>Mike Montgomery</span>, LHP vs. <span>Tyler Mahle</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="qCO2BO"><span>Mike Montgomery</span> has struggled a bit lately, but his numbers as a starter are still excellent: seven starts, 2.43 ERA, 1.057 WHIP. One of the things that’s made him successful as a starter this time around is a low walk rate: just 2.7 per nine innings. That was his biggest issue starting in previous years, and if he can keep it that low, he’ll continue to succeed. (Maybe he can give <span>Tyler Chatwood</span> some lessons.)</p>
<p id="XTSFhv">He started the final game of the four-game sweep the Reds laid on the Cubs in Cincinnati on <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CIN/CIN201806240.shtml">June 24</a>. The numbers aren’t great, six innings, four runs, but two of those runs scored after he left the game and he had allowed just three hits and one run until the seventh (he started that inning and departed before recording an out).</p>
<p id="ntPzjO">Tyler Mahle has made two starts against the Cubs this year. In the first one, <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CIN/CIN201804020.shtml">April 2</a>, he allowed just one hit over six shutout innings. In the second one, <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CIN/CIN201805200.shtml">May 20</a>, the Cubs pounded him pretty good, four runs in six innings, including three home runs (<span>Kyle Schwarber</span>, <span>Javier Baez</span>, <span>Ben Zobrist</span>).</p>
<p id="thw8Ek">Since that start Mahle’s been pretty good: 2.84 ERA, 1.500 WHIP, though that WHIP reflects a pretty high walk rate (5.0 per nine). Perhaps the Cubs can take advantage of that. Mahle is coming off a start where he struck out 12 <a href="https://www.brewcrewball.com/">Brewers</a> in 5⅔ innings, so the Cubs should also be aware of that.</p>
<p id="ZoVKws">Today’s game is on NBC Sports Chicago. It’s also on MLB Network (outside the Chicago and Detroit markets).</p>
<p id="DJ6BZg"><a href="https://www.mlb.com/live-stream-games/2018/07/06">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_07_06_cinmlb_chnmlb_1">MLB.com Gameday</a></p>
<p id="iDRiK8"><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/previews/2018/CHN201807060.shtml">Baseball-reference.com game preview</a></p>
<p id="AScVZw"><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mlb/events/536815/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="cWIBoH">Discuss amongst yourselves.</p>
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https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2018/7/6/17525008/chicago-cubs-cincinnati-reds-preview-fridayAl Yellon