The big-name addition to the Chicago Cubs’ pitching staff made an unimpressive debut, but the team hopes to see more from the other new member of its starting rotation. Tyler Chatwood attempts to fare better than new teammate Yu Darvish when he makes his first start for the Cubs on Monday in the opener of a two-game road series against the Cincinnati Reds.
The Reds continue a tough season-opening homestand, facing a second consecutive division favorite after being swept of a three-game set by Washington over the weekend. Cincinnati pitchers allowed eight home runs against the Nationals, and now they face a Cubs lineup that went deep five times in a four-game series at cavernous Marlins Park. Chicago’s offense has been boom-or-bust thus far, though, as the team has scored 18 runs in its two wins and a total of one in its two losses, including a 2-1 defeat in 17 innings. The Cubs’ bullpen was worked hard over the weekend but was up to the challenge, allowing just two runs in 24 innings.
TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network, NBCS Chicago, FS Ohio (Cincinnati)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs RH Tyler Chatwood (2017: 8-15, 4.69 ERA) vs. Reds RH Tyler Mahle (2017: 1-2, 2.70)
Chatwood put up solid numbers over the last two years despite pitching his home games at Coors Field, where he posted ERAs of 6.12 and 6.01. The 28-year-old’s biggest problem has been his command, as he issues more than four walks per nine innings for his career - including a career-high 4.7 last year. Chatwood is 0-3 with a 5.09 ERA in four career starts against the Reds.
Mahle was impressive in a late call-up last season, keeping the opponent scoreless in two of his four starts. The 23-year-old fought his control and walked 11 batters over 20 innings in the majors, but he made big strides on that front during the offseason and had success commanding his off-speed pitches in the spring. Mahle is making only his second start at Great American Ball Park, where he allowed three runs over five frames in a loss to Pittsburgh in his major-league debut on Aug. 27.
WALK-OFFS
1. Cubs 3B Kris Bryant hit safely in all four games against the Marlins, going 7-for-18 in the series.
2. Cincinnati CF Billy Hamilton, who recorded his first hit on Sunday, is 3-for-6 with two doubles and a triple versus Chatwood.
3. The 0-3 start is the first for the Reds since 2003.