Bleed Cubbie Blue - Cubs vs. Reds Saturday 5/29 game threadsA Chicago Cubs Fan Community Since February 9, 2005https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47557/cubbieblue.png2021-05-30T09:00:00-05:00http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/rss/stream/222236392021-05-30T09:00:00-05:002021-05-30T09:00:00-05:002021 Cubs Heroes and Goats: Game 51
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<figcaption>Jon Durr-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The hitters crash the party as the Cubs win their sixth straight.</p> <p id="8Trhhp">Heading into Saturday afternoon the <a href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Cubs</a> were on a five-game winning streak. As with much of the year to date, the relief pitching was good. The biggest improvement was the starting pitching. In the five wins, the pitching staff allowed a total of 10 runs. Spoiler alert: if your team averages allowing two runs per game, you are going to win a lot of games. </p>
<p id="jE1CjN">On Saturday the pitchers continued their good run. That is, they allowed two runs. The big difference was an offensive outburst. The Cubs had scored 16 runs over the five games. Basically a little over three runs per game. So these were some close games. </p>
<p id="M13UKM">On Saturday the Cubs scored 10. That’ll do wonders for your runs per game number. That also makes a season-high six game winning streak and the Cubs are now a season-high seven games over .500. The Cardinals have escaped a mini slump and accordingly have held on to first place. But, intuitively, six straight wins gains games on all of the teams in the league. </p>
<p id="RxLvb8">I feel like we’ve reached the point where in the movie Major League they had their first extended winning streak and we cut to their fans. Many of them had escaped their despair about their team and were showing some excitement, but one guy says (TV version) “they’re still lousy.” So let me say this to you out there, the one who is waiting for the shoe to drop, enjoy this ride. This has been a special run. We can’t know how long it will last. With all of the mounting injuries it could turn sideways in a hurry. But these runs don’t come along often. Enjoy it. </p>
<p id="gR0iRU">While we are enjoying the run, let’s pause and look at the numbers. As you’ll recall, the Heroes and Goats are determined by WPA (Win Probability Added) and are not in any way subjective. Many days WPA will not tell the story of what happened, but often it can give at least a glimpse to who rose to the occasion in a high-leverage moment or who didn’t get the job done in that moment. And now, let’s get to the results.</p>
<p id="0mmS8S"><strong>Game 51, May 29:</strong> Cubs 10, Reds 2</p>
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<iframe src="https://www.fangraphs.com/graphframe.aspx?config=0&static=0&type=livewins&num=0&h=450&w=450&date=2021-05-29&team=Cubs&dh=0" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" height="450" width="450" style="border:1px solid black;"></iframe><br><span style="font-size:9pt;">Source: <a href="https://www.fangraphs.com/livewins.aspx?date=2021-05-29&team=Cubs&dh=0&season=2021">FanGraphs</a></span>
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<p id="JjpiqT"></p>
<p id="J67JbV"><strong>THREE HEROES:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li id="ISEgPC">
<strong>SUPERHERO:</strong> Zach Davies (.208). 5IP (19 batters faced), 2H, 2BB, 1R, 3K</li>
<li id="fiCz4B">
<strong>HERO:</strong> Eric Sogard (.131). 1-3, BB, 2RBI, R, K</li>
<li id="yWXhVJ">
<strong>SIDEKICK:</strong> David Bote (.106). 0-1, R</li>
</ul>
<p id="Aqprx6"><strong>THREE GOATS:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li id="dTBCGa">
<strong>BILLY GOAT:</strong> Rex Brothers (-.097). ⅓ IP (3 batters faced), 0H, 2BB, R, K</li>
<li id="weW0Ub">
<strong>GOAT:</strong> Keegan Thompson (-.067). ⅔ IP (3 batters faced), H, 0BB, 0R, K</li>
<li id="CGRtjY">
<strong>KID:</strong> Nick Martini (-.065). 0-1, K</li>
</ul>
<p id="K8vXY7">WPA Play of the Game: Joc Pederson’s two-run single in the bottom of the sixth (.154).</p>
<p id="DzrZiM">*Reds Play of the Game: Tyler Stephenson hit a two-run double off Keegan Thompson in the top of the sixth, tying the game (.272).</p>
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<p id="1xpEER"><strong>Author’s note:</strong> The cumulative standings didn’t make it into this piece. I’m well into my move and lack a computer with WiFi so I’m writing this on a phone. Rest assured all of your favorite sections of this article will return in a day or two. Thank you as always for your understanding and support.</p>
<p id="ZMzDYj"><strong>Up Next:</strong> The Cubs go for the series sweep of the Reds Sunday afternoon with Jake Arrieta on the mound.</p>
<p id="zMWwqe"></p>
https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2021/5/30/22460351/2021-cubs-heroes-and-goats-game-51Thomas Smith2021-05-29T17:45:00-05:002021-05-29T17:45:00-05:00Cubs 10, Reds 2: The hits just kept on coming
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<figcaption>Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Unfortunately, David Bote was injured as the Cubs won their sixth straight.</p> <p id="VQ2LiM">If you had told me, last offseason, that <a href="https://www.mlb.com/gameday/reds-vs-cubs/2021/05/29/633875#game_state=final,game_tab=box,game=633875">the Cubs would defeat the Reds 10-2</a> and in the game, Rafael Ortega would start in right field and hit a home run and Patrick Wisdom would play third base, I would have asked you, “Was the game at Mesa or Goodyear?”</p>
<p id="VFyYsU">This win, the Cubs’ sixth in a row, was in neither of those Arizona locations. Instead, the Cubs are going through guys who you’d never have thought would be on the big-league roster this year — and they’re producing. </p>
<p id="NBt3Wv">Unfortunately, it appears the Cubs will be without David Bote for a while:</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Separated left shoulder confirmed for David Bote, will continue to be evaluated in coming days.</p>— Tony Andracki (@TonyAndracki23) <a href="https://twitter.com/TonyAndracki23/status/1398756754310275077?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 29, 2021</a>
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<p id="ObOT4c">That’s a big blow to the Cubs and to Bote, who was just starting to hit — he’d homered twice in his last three games entering Saturday afternoon’s action. <a href="https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2021/2021-05/29/d1ed55ec-6d67b2a4-5ec1c02b-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4">He also made this slick defensive play in the first inning [VIDEO].</a></p>
<div id="6BKkej"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"><video controls="" style="top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;">Your browser does not support HTML5 video.<source src="https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2021/2021-05/29/d1ed55ec-6d67b2a4-5ec1c02b-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4" type="video/mp4"></source></video></div></div>
<p id="ZRPhQj"></p>
<p id="srX3pK">Let’s begin at the beginning of this busy contest, played on a sun-kissed (though chilly in the shade!) afternoon in front of the biggest crowd of the year so far, 24,275.</p>
<p id="Dd4FSd">Zach Davies threw two efficient innings, helped out by a double play in the first (and Bote’s play), and then the Cubs offense got to work. Willson Contreras led off the bottom of the second with a single and Ortega, somewhat inexplicably, sacrificed him to second. Bote hit a ball that was... sort of fielded by Eugenio Suarez, who then threw it away, Contreras taking third. </p>
<p id="w4Z4bL"><a href="https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2021/2021-05/29/8d5b6021-e797c961-a31a3655-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4">Eric Sogard then beat out an infield grounder, scoring Willson [VIDEO].</a></p>
<div id="fADpSw"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"><video controls="" style="top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;">Your browser does not support HTML5 video.<source src="https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2021/2021-05/29/8d5b6021-e797c961-a31a3655-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4" type="video/mp4"></source></video></div></div>
<p id="tNwHcd"></p>
<p id="D0kbYM"><a href="https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2021/2021-05/29/3a684f12-02fb57b4-405841fb-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4">Davies then laid down a perfect bunt [VIDEO].</a></p>
<div id="YhDb8Y"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"><video controls="" style="top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;">Your browser does not support HTML5 video.<source src="https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2021/2021-05/29/3a684f12-02fb57b4-405841fb-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4" type="video/mp4"></source></video></div></div>
<p id="tlXufF"></p>
<p id="D1IR5C">Bote scored and Reds first baseman Alex Blandino inexplicably held the ball, allowing Davies to be safe. That’s all the Cubs got in the inning, and Davies threw two more good innings in the third and fourth, and in the bottom of the fourth, Bote was injured.</p>
<p id="mt4Uui">Ortega led off with a walk and Bote was hit by a pitch. <a href="https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2021/2021-05/29/76a0c0e5-6a2d06d5-0c368f9a-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4">Then Sogard hit a ground ball to first [VIDEO].</a></p>
<div id="MfLzOl"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"><video controls="" style="top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;">Your browser does not support HTML5 video.<source src="https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2021/2021-05/29/76a0c0e5-6a2d06d5-0c368f9a-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4" type="video/mp4"></source></video></div></div>
<p id="9zX5Ob"></p>
<p id="zcAD3k">Bote’s slide, somehow, led to that separated shoulder. It also led to two outs, because the Reds challenged Bote’s slide — adding insult to injury! — and the ruling on the field was reversed on review.</p>
<p id="FAlmKa">The injury does not look good, as noted above, it’s a separated shoulder. That could keep Bote out of commission for several weeks. There are literally just two position players on the 40-man roster who aren’t either:</p>
<p id="vowOlj">a) already on the active roster or<br>b) injured.</p>
<p id="1whYva">Those two are Christopher Morel, who is 21 years old and currently hitting .190 in Double-A, and Miguel Amaya. Neither would be a good replacement on the active roster. Perhaps Jason Heyward is ready to return soon. Otherwise the Cubs might have to scan the waiver wire. Bote’s injury could be serious enough to warrant a 60-day injured list placement, which would open up a spot for someone from the outside.</p>
<p id="AEV0Ze">Anyway, back to the game.</p>
<p id="MCd0SM">Davies got through the fifth all right, but issued a leadoff walk in the sixth and in came Rex Brothers, who hadn’t thrown in 10 days. It showed; his control was way off, and he walked the first man he faced, After he struck out Nick Castellanos, Brothers issued another walk to load the bases, and Keegan Thompson entered to throw to Tyler Stephenson. Stephenson doubled in two runs, tying the game. That ended the Cubs’ bullpen streak of not allowing an earned run, unfortunately. It was a good run while it lasted.</p>
<p id="RSjILf">Then the Cubs got to work getting the lead back, and they, too, relied on Reds pitching wildness. Starter Luis Castillo walked Ian Happ and Contreras and was removed for Amir Garrett, who got booed — loudly — upon entering. Ortega attempted to bunt and failed, but Garrett walked Wisdom, loading the bases, and then with the crowd on its feet and loud, <a href="https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2021/2021-05/29/02a20c07-8fac95fb-ee9f6c01-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4">he walked Sogard, forcing in a run [VIDEO]</a>.</p>
<div id="gik8kL"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"><video controls="" style="top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;">Your browser does not support HTML5 video.<source src="https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2021/2021-05/29/02a20c07-8fac95fb-ee9f6c01-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4" type="video/mp4"></source></video></div></div>
<p id="tKCoKM"></p>
<p id="5MNHyF">I hope you can get a sense of how loud it was on that clip; Wrigley hasn’t rocked like that since late 2019. Felt and sounded great.</p>
<p id="08Vhyx">After pinch-hitter Nick Martini struck out, Joc Pederson — on the first ball put in play in the inning — <a href="https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2021/2021-05/29/8cee6780-7db12ce4-4b0b7132-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4">singled in a pair of runs to make it 5-2 [VIDEO]</a>.</p>
<div id="0lNjqI"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"><video controls="" style="top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;">Your browser does not support HTML5 video.<source src="https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2021/2021-05/29/8cee6780-7db12ce4-4b0b7132-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4" type="video/mp4"></source></video></div></div>
<p id="0RMUNm"></p>
<p id="XPxHGH">That also sent Sogard to third, where he scored on <a href="https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2021/2021-05/29/f6d978e6-7b727a88-75cd4470-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4">this single by Kris Bryant [VIDEO]</a>.</p>
<div id="bQvXhA"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"><video controls="" style="top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;">Your browser does not support HTML5 video.<source src="https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2021/2021-05/29/f6d978e6-7b727a88-75cd4470-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4" type="video/mp4"></source></video></div></div>
<p id="BNuEsI"></p>
<p id="D23rIl">Ryan Tepera threw a 1-2-3 seventh and then the Cubs put another run on the board, <a href="https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2021/2021-05/29/6085fd7b-402e0092-cac77d16-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4">courtesy of Ortega [VIDEO]</a>.</p>
<div id="bxFR5G"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"><video controls="" style="top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;">Your browser does not support HTML5 video.<source src="https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2021/2021-05/29/6085fd7b-402e0092-cac77d16-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4" type="video/mp4"></source></video></div></div>
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<p id="Ir64p3">That was Ortega’s first as a Cub and first of any kind since the last day of the 2019 season, when he hit one for the Braves against the <a href="https://www.amazinavenue.com/">Mets</a>.</p>
<p id="wxUpmk">Like Bote’s line-drive shot Friday, that ball was a laser beam that wasn’t affected by the wind:</p>
<div id="V90v3P">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Reds?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Reds</a> 2 @ <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cubs?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cubs</a> 7 [B7-2o]:<br><br>Rafael Ortega homers (1): fly ball to RF (solo)<br><br>Hit: 383ft, 107.7mph, 22° <br><br>Pitch: 95.1mph Four-Seam Fastball (RHP Ryan Hendrix, 2)</p>— Home Run Tracker (@DingerTracker) <a href="https://twitter.com/DingerTracker/status/1398745499558088706?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 29, 2021</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<p id="aWYynU">Brad Wieck threw a scoreless eighth and then the Cubs put the game far out of reach in the bottom of the inning. The first out was a routine fly to center (well, as routine as anything could be in the wind, which wasn’t as strong as Friday’s but still blowing in at a good clip). The Cubs then pounded out five straight singles off former Pirate Michael Feliz (you can see why Pittsburgh let him go) and scored three runs. <a href="https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2021/2021-05/29/4b8c9250-e2adac53-d36729fd-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4">The first was driven in by Javier Baez [VIDEO].</a></p>
<div id="G6vGaZ"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"><video controls="" style="top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;">Your browser does not support HTML5 video.<source src="https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2021/2021-05/29/4b8c9250-e2adac53-d36729fd-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4" type="video/mp4"></source></video></div></div>
<p id="czAX5g"></p>
<p id="JV0p4H"><a href="https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2020/2020-10/52/8b493613-1bdd0f0d-725314fd-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4">Two more came in on this single by Happ [VIDEO].</a></p>
<div id="fXpl3L"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"><video controls="" style="top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;">Your browser does not support HTML5 video.<source src="https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2020/2020-10/52/8b493613-1bdd0f0d-725314fd-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4" type="video/mp4"></source></video></div></div>
<p id="Man70T"></p>
<p id="JCjwiH">Dillon Maples, who like Brothers hadn’t pitched in a week and a half, entered to wrap things up in the ninth. He allowed a one-out single but nothing more; <a href="https://bdata-producedclips.mlb.com/bc95c507-42f6-48cf-8fc9-7e4180ead680.mp4">here’s the final out [VIDEO]</a>.</p>
<div id="DGbeoV"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"><video controls="" style="top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;">Your browser does not support HTML5 video.<source src="https://bdata-producedclips.mlb.com/bc95c507-42f6-48cf-8fc9-7e4180ead680.mp4" type="video/mp4"></source></video></div></div>
<p id="ukHo9T"></p>
<p id="2Sg2CE">The win again put the Cubs in a first-place tie with the Cardinals, pending St. Louis’ late game (9:10 p.m. CT) vs. the <a href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/">Diamondbacks</a> at Phoenix. The Cubs are now 18-9 at home, a pace for 54 home victories.</p>
<p id="mj8whQ">It’s all tempered somewhat by the injury to Bote. Hopefully, Anthony Rizzo can return to starting Sunday, and that would allow Bryant to move back to third base. But Jed Hoyer and his baseball management team will have to find someone, somewhere, to replace Bote on the active roster. I suppose if Bote is injured badly enough to go to the 60-day IL, the team could recall Sergio Alcantara from Triple-A Iowa. Bryant and Wisdom could cover third base — Alcantara doesn’t have much experience there, being primarily a shortstop/second baseman. As always, we await developments.</p>
<p id="Jm3D2l">Meanwhile, the Cubs will go for their seventh straight win Sunday afternoon, and their second consecutive series sweep. Jake Arrieta will take the mound for the Cubs and Tyler Mahle will start for Cincinnati. Game time is again 1:20 p.m. CT and TV coverage will be via Marquee Sports Network.</p>
https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2021/5/29/22460101/cubs-reds-recapAl Yellon2021-05-29T14:50:00-05:002021-05-29T14:50:00-05:00Overflow thread: Cubs vs. Reds, Saturday 5/29, 1:20 CT
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/l1s6ZvUaEE_6DynkFTldcyDT--Y=/301x176:4486x2966/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69361612/usa_today_16165829.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p id="PjnDN3">——</p>
<p id="Q1BiO6"></p>
https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2021/5/29/22459596/overflow-thread-cubs-vs-reds-saturday-5-29-1-20-ctAl Yellon2021-05-29T13:15:00-05:002021-05-29T13:15:00-05:00First pitch thread: Cubs vs. Reds, Saturday 5/29, 1:20 CT
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Tnq_D-wh610XCP5mTfpK1Kn0C6c=/446x432:2358x1707/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69361425/usa_today_16136756.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p id="PjnDN3">Go get ‘em, Zach.</p>
https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2021/5/29/22459594/first-pitch-thread-cubs-vs-reds-saturday-5-29-1-20-ctAl Yellon2021-05-29T11:30:00-05:002021-05-29T11:30:00-05:00Chicago Cubs vs. Cincinnati Reds preview, Saturday 5/29, 1:20 CT
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/5jQKg4cCLALhEcxjcW2siaMSV2g=/0x210:3965x2853/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69361103/usa_today_16165142.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Cubs go for their sixth straight win.</p> <p id="bkSMLA">Saturday notes:</p>
<ul>
<li id="9FtHzu">
<strong>ONE RUN, HOMER ONLY:</strong> Prior to yesterday’s 1-0 win, the Cubs last won 1-0 decisions with home runs accounting for the lone runs August 16 and 17, 2018 against the Pirates in Pittsburgh. Ian Happ and Kyle Schwarber accounted for the homers in those games. <a href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2021/5/28/22459317/cubs-250th-1-0-win-friday-was-among-rarest">More on Cubs 1-0 games in JohnW53’s Fanpost.</a>
</li>
<li id="T1VwaA">
<strong>GETTING THAT RUN DIFFERENTIAL UP:</strong> The Cubs enter today with a plus-23 run differential this season (227-204), the fourth-best differential in the N.L. behind the Padres (+86), Dodgers (+74) and Giants (+58).</li>
<li id="p41CLK">
<strong>THIS MAY BE GREAT:</strong> The Cubs have three games remaining in May and are 17-7 this month. Just 11 times since 1901 have the Cubs won more than 17 games in May, last done in 2016 (18-10). The franchise record for wins in May is 21, set in 1903, tied in 1977.</li>
<li id="0V7I8c">
<strong>THE BOTE OF THE BARREL:</strong> David Bote ranks tied for fourth in the NL, barreling up the ball in 9.4 percent of his plate appearances, trailing only Ronald Acuna Jr. (12.7), Brandon Crawford (9.8) and Jesse Winker (9.6).</li>
</ul>
<p id="evYeJb">Here are today’s particulars.</p>
<p id="OmIgrW"><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 at Wrigley Field.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CubTogether?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CubTogether</a> <a href="https://t.co/N6Jt6nETtU">pic.twitter.com/N6Jt6nETtU</a></p>— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) <a href="https://twitter.com/Cubs/status/1398662632442322949?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 29, 2021</a>
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<p id="nU1Gao"><a href="https://www.redreporter.com">Reds</a> lineup:</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Saturday's Redlegs lineup against the Cubs.<a href="https://twitter.com/PNCBank?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PNCBank</a> <a href="https://t.co/v8mQKxF0dA">pic.twitter.com/v8mQKxF0dA</a></p>— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) <a href="https://twitter.com/Reds/status/1398641795479879680?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 29, 2021</a>
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<h2 id="lePhfq">Zach Davies, RHP vs. Luis Castillo, RHP</h2>
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<cite>USA TODAY Sports</cite>
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<cite>Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports</cite>
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<p id="5czmVf">Zach Davies in May: five starts, 1.71 ERA, 1.367 WHIP, just one HR allowed in 26⅓ innings. That’s borderline excellent, though he’s still not going very deep into games. Pitch counts for the five starts: 76, 81, 75, 77, 76. So, it looks like maybe six good innings is his limit.</p>
<p id="ih78Ln">The Cubs won four of those five games, the only loss (of course, by one run) in extra innings in Cleveland <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CLE/CLE202105120.shtml">May 12</a>.</p>
<p id="mbd9BX">Luis Castillo, meanwhile, has been awful in his five May outings: 9.00 ERA, 2.000 WHIP, 12 walks in 23 innings. The Reds have lost all five of those starts.</p>
<p id="UOHLGf">That includes a game <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CIN/CIN202105010.shtml">May 1 in Cincinnati</a>, a pitching rematch of this afternoon’s matchup. Davies wasn’t great, but he did allow just one earned run, even though he couldn’t complete five innings. The Cubs touched up Castillo for three runs in 5⅓ innings, just enough for a 3-2 win.</p>
<p id="n0Foja">I’ll take another one of those today, please.</p>
<p id="z1gElU">Today’s game is on Marquee Sports Network. <a href="https://www.marqueesportsnetwork.com/providers/">Here’s a list of providers currently carrying Marquee<strong>.</strong></a> </p>
<p id="6w2xna"><a href="https://www.mlb.com/live-stream-games/2021/05/29">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=2021_05_29_cinmlb_chnmlb_1">MLB.com Gameday</a></p>
<p id="iDRiK8"><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/previews/2021/CHN202105290.shtml">Baseball-reference.com game preview</a></p>
<p id="7oSHCm">Please visit our SB Nation Reds 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="mRtOMf">The 2021 Game Thread procedure will be a bit different than previous years. It will be similar to what we’ve used for Spring Training.</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, titled “Cubs vs. (Team) (Day of week/date) game threads.” It will contain every post related to that particular game, including the First Pitch Thread and the overflow thread, as well as the recap when it’s published. The recap will also live on the front page as a separate post.</p>
<p id="F5ehVY">You will also be able to find the preview, First Pitch Thread and the overflow thread 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>). The StoryStream for each game can also be found in that section.</p>
<p id="pjBR1E">The First Pitch thread will post at five minutes before game time, then an overflow thread at 90 minutes after the scheduled game time.</p>
<p id="cWIBoH">Discuss amongst yourselves.</p>
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https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2021/5/29/22456409/chicago-cubs-cincinnati-reds-preview-saturdayAl Yellon