Cubs at Reds
Cincinnati has been a pleasant place to play for the Chicago Cubs in recent years, and the Cubs hope to continue that trend when they open a four-game road series against the Reds on Friday. The Cubs are 20-9 at Great American Ball Park since the start of the 2015 season.
The Reds won six straight before dropping two of three at San Francisco earlier this week. They’ve gotten excellent pitching of late, allowing three or fewer runs in seven of their last nine contests. Both teams’ bullpens should be well-rested after days off Thursday, thanks to the Cubs’ being rained out in their series finale at Atlanta. Chicago has been streaky, with two five-game winning streaks sandwiched around a five-game skid before dropping three of its last four.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, NBCS Chicago, FS Ohio (Cincinnati)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs LH Jon Lester (3-1, 2.66 ERA) vs. Reds RH Homer Bailey (1-5, 5.59)
Lester has allowed two or fewer runs in five of his eight starts, but he’s had difficulty getting through the sixth inning. The 34-year-old has walked at least three batters in five of his outings. Lester is 5-1 with a 4.27 ERA in 13 starts against the Reds, including a 2-1 mark and 3.66 ERA in six outings at Great American Ball Park.
Bailey is coming off his first win of the season despite allowing a season-high 10 hits over five innings Saturday at the Dodgers. The 32-year-old posted quality starts in three of his first four outings to start the season but hasn’t had one in five starts since. Bailey is 8-3 with a 4.53 ERA in 18 starts against the Cubs.
WALK-OFFS1. Chicago has drawn 47 walks over the past 10 games after earning only 18 free passes in its previous 11 contests.
2. Reds 2B Jose Peraza (9-for-20, four RBIs) and OF Billy Hamilton (7-for-19, two homers) have enjoyed success against Lester.
3. The Cubs on Thursday optioned INF David Bote to Triple-A Iowa and recalled 24-year-old LH Randy Rosario, who has a 0.52 ERA in 11 appearances at Iowa, to bolster the bullpen.