5/14 Cubs (Hendricks) @ Reds (Roark) 5:40 CST NBCSCH

[cubscott34]

Good win on Sunday Cubs.

 

Off days suck though.

 

We finally face the Reds for the first time this year. But these aren't the Reds from the last few years. Somehow, through the magic of smoke & mirrors, the Reds now have pitching, with a NL best team ERA of 3.36 through the quarter-mark of the season. However, right behind them are the Cubs, who now have a NL second best team ERA of 3.44. I suspect that by the end of the series, those positions will be reversed.

 

On the hitting side, the Cubs bats were cooled down just a little this weekend, but I believe that had more to do with the weather than anything else. Nonetheless, they still sport an OPS of .799, good for fourth best in MLB and 2nd best in the NL. Meanwhile, the Reds, have struggled to a whopping .685 OPS, good for 24th in baseball, and have a MLB worst team batting average of .216.

 

The Cubs are 9-0-1 in their last 10 series and have been the best team in baseball since their 2-7 start. Both of those trends continue through this series, starting with this game right here. Go Cubs.. hit dongs, score runs. That is all.

[itisallpartoftheplan]

I just realized that Cubs strike zone Twitter page isn’t running this year. I wonder why.

[weis21]

[Schwarber Fan]

I’m looking forward to Cubs fans taking over GAB for the week.

[UMFan83]

18 of the Reds 23 losses have been by 1 or 2 runs. They have the second best run differential in the division at +30. Not quite sure how good that team is yet.

[UMFan83]

Also it looks like if the rotations hold to form, next Monday at Wrigley will be Yu Darvish vs Jake Arrieta ugh

[HawkeTrackler]

Also it looks like if the rotations hold to form, next Monday at Wrigley will be Yu Darvish vs Jake Arrieta ugh

 

Oh god is that gonna be painful

[gflore34]

Also it looks like if the rotations hold to form, next Monday at Wrigley will be Yu Darvish vs Jake Arrieta ugh

 

Oh god is that gonna be painful

 

 

BB/WP extravaganza.

[Schwarber Fan]

Heyward 9

KB 3

Javy 6

Willy 2

Schwarber 7

Boat 5

Descalso 4

Almora 8

Prof. 1

 

Not a great sign that Rizzo is out again...

[Sammy Sofa]

Heyward 9

KB 3

Javy 6

Willy 2

Schwarber 7

Boat 5

Descalso 4

Almora 8

Prof. 1

 

Not a great sign that Rizzo is out again...

 

Meh; it's just the Reds. Might as well take advantage of when you can get a key player some needed rest. Likely just precautionary.

[Cubswin11]

We learned our lesson with Rizzo and his back last year. Just IL him for 10-15 days and make sure it’s taken care of right. Instead of having him come back in a few days and likely suck for 2 weeks before finally IL’ing him. Stop handcuffing the roster too with keeping injured guys on the 25-man who can’t really play

[UK]

18 of the Reds 23 losses have been by 1 or 2 runs. They have the second best run differential in the division at +30. Not quite sure how good that team is yet.

 

I'm buying. I think they're the 3rd best in the division. That pitching is very improved although Castillo won't continue but his FIP is outstanding.

 

Mainly their hitting will catch up. Votto is hitting with the same exit velo as before but his babip is about .9 off his career. I think we'll see what we saw from Bryant. Suarez has been great, Dietrich has been solid. Same thing with Puig, his Babip is around .220 yet his exit velo is about 90.

 

There's been some bad luck with their offense.

[Sammy Sofa]

[Cubswin11]

I’m happy with a 3-3 road trip seeing as we face Castillo, Scherzer and Strasburg in 3 of the games. Get started on a good note tonight idiots.

[minnesotacubsfan]

lets go cobs

[itisallpartoftheplan]

Hendricks almost hit one out here last year too!!

[Schwarber Fan]

It’s time to make a Bote for Happ move.

[UMFan83]

Hendricks live ERA has dropped to 2.98

[CP_414]

It’s time to make a Bote for Happ move.

 

That’s a terrible idea.

 

Russell for Happ? Sure. Russell can go for anybody.

Zagunis for Happ? That’s fine. Zagunis sucks.

 

I’d still prefer that Happ starts slugging above .380 vs AAA pitching with a juiced ball before he returns.

[Schwarber Fan]

It’s time to make a Bote for Happ move.

 

That’s a terrible idea.

 

Russell for Happ? Sure. Russell can go for anybody.

Zagunis for Happ? That’s fine. Zagunis sucks.

 

I’d still prefer that Happ starts slugging above .380 vs AAA pitching with a juiced ball before he returns.

 

Not too worried about it, Bote is good for a dong later in this game for sure now.

[Schwarber Fan]

F off, Votto.

[TMan92]

Anyone else cringe when Bryant went into second head first?

[Schwarber Fan]

Nice bat flip, Dietrich

[Derwood]

Almora will never do anything cooler than that for the rest of the year. Time to trade him at his peak

[Cubswin11]

Nice catch, slappy