Cubs at Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are still a long way from being a National League Central contender, but they’re playing the part well this weekend. The surging Reds will try to complete a four-game sweep of the visiting Chicago Cubs when the division rivals wrap up their series Sunday.
Cincinnati has won six straight overall, matching its longest streak of the season, and owns a 5-3 edge over the Cubs in the season series. The Reds kept the offense rolling in an 11-2 rout Saturday and are hitting .322 with 12 home runs and 45 runs during the winning streak. The Cubs have dropped five of their last seven but didn’t lose ground in the NL Central race Saturday, staying two games back with Milwaukee’s loss to St. Louis. Chicago is hitting .220 and has totaled 16 runs over its past seven contests.
TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, NBCS Chicago, FS Ohio (Cincinnati)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs RH Tyler Chatwood (3-5, 3.95 ERA) vs. Reds RH Sal Romano (4-7, 5.18)
Chatwood is in line for his regular turn in the rotation but could be called away - his wife is expecting the couple’s first child - in which case left-hander Mike Montgomery would get the nod. Chatwood is winless in his last seven starts and continues to struggle with his command, as he has issued a league-high 63 walks - 16 more than any other pitcher - in 68 1/3 frames. Chatwood is 0-4 with a 4.18 ERA in five starts against the Reds.
Romano has recorded only five quality starts in 15 outings this season, but that includes each of his last two turns. The 24-year-old has allowed one run and eight hits over 15 innings over that span and threw seven scoreless frames to beat Detroit on Tuesday. Romano was roughed up for seven runs in five innings in a loss to the Cubs on May 19.
WALK-OFFS1. Reds 3B Eugenio Suarez is 18-for-48 with five homers and 13 RBIs during a career-best 13-game hitting streak.
2. Cubs 2B/OF Ben Zobrist is batting .337 in 32 road games this season.
3. Cincinnati 1B Joey Votto has 10 RBIs during the Reds’ six-game winning streak.