Cubs at Reds (Game 1)
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: 1:10 p.m. ET, WGN (Chicago), FS Ohio (Cincinnati)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs RH Kyle Hendricks (3-3, 3.20 ERA) vs. Reds RH Luis Castillo (3-4, 6.02)
Hendricks has posted four straight quality starts, but he’s 2-2 over that stretch. The 28-year-old struck out six and didn’t issue a walk Sunday, allowing four runs (three earned) over six innings in a loss to the White Sox. Joey Votto is 7-for-14 with a pair of solo homers against Hendricks, who is 4-1 with a 3.41 ERA in 10 starts against the Reds.
Castillo’s stuff has been filthy in his last three starts, as he has compiled 22 strikeouts and just two walks over that span. The 25-year-old matched his season high with eight strikeouts in a road win over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday, allowing three runs (two earned) over six-plus innings. Castillo’s only start against the Cubs came last season, when he struck out seven and allowed two hits over six scoreless frames 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.