Cubs at Reds (Game 2)
The Chicago Cubs aim to continue their recent dominance over the Cincinnati Reds when the National League Central rivals play a split doubleheader Saturday in Cincinnati. The Cubs opened the four-game series with an 8-1 win Friday, improving to 41-18 against the Reds since the start of the 2015 campaign.
That sparkling record includes a 21-9 mark at Great American Ball Park over the last three-plus seasons. The streaky Cubs got the bats going again Friday with 15 hits, including four from Addison Russell and three from Willson Contreras. The Reds have lost three of their last four following a six-game winning streak. Cincinnati managed only two hits in the opener, including a solo shot from Adam Duvall.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, WGN (Chicago), FS Ohio (Cincinnati)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs LH Jose Quintana (4-3, 5.23 ERA) vs. Reds RH Sal Romano (2-4, 4.84)
Quintana is coming off a rough outing Monday against Atlanta, as he allowed three home runs with the wind blowing out at Wrigley Field. The 29-year-old gave up six runs in 4 2/3 frames after allowing only one earned run over 17 innings across his previous three starts. Quintana is 1-0 with a 4.66 ERA in two starts against the Reds.
Romano had strung together a couple of strong outings before being hit hard at San Francisco on Monday. The Connecticut native gave up six runs and eight hits in 2 1/3 innings in the loss to the Giants after yielding one run in each of his previous two turns. Romano faced the Cubs for the first time last season and allowed two runs over seven innings in a no-decision.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Cubs have homered in 19 of their past 23 games at Great American Ball Park.
2. Reds CF Billy Hamilton has 31 stolen bases against the Cubs, the second-most by a Red versus Chicago in the live ball era - since 1920 - behind Barry Larkin (32).
3. Chicago 1B Anthony Rizzo has 24 home runs against the Reds – his most against any opponent.