Reds vs. Cubs: RHP Alfredo Simon vs. LHP Travis Wood

Cincinnati Reds (71-79) vs. Chicago Cubs (65-84)

RHP Alfredo Simon (14-10, 3.48 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, .244 OAV) vs. LHP Travis Wood (8-12, 5.03 ERA, 1.54 WHIP, .278 OAV)

Monday, September 15, 2014: 8:05 p.m. at Wrigley Field

* * *

Having done just enough so far in the second half to keep himself in the rotation, Alfredo Simon is looking to close out his season on a strong note, so that he will continue to be at the forefront of manager Bryan Price’s mind when it comes to making out a 2015 rotation.

If there were any team for Simon to face to help him revert back to his old form, it would be the Chicago Cubs. Thus far in 2014, Simon has made four starts against the north siders—all of which have been dominant. He is 3-0 with a 1.44 ERA against the Cubbies, tossing at least six innings in every start and not allowing more than two earned runs in any start.

Simon has shown in 2014, that if batters are to get to him, they’re going to have to do it early. Once he reaches half way to the century mark in pitches, his batting average against drops below .200. He has allowed five first inning home runs, which is more than any other frame. His 4.66 ERA in the first inning alone is his second highest for a single inning, only behind the fourth.

Here is the lineup he will face via the team’s Twitter account:

LF – Chris Coghlan (1-for-7, 1 2B, 1 RBI, 1 K)

SS – Javier Baez (yet to face Simon)

1B – Anthony Rizzo (4-for-12, 2 HR, 3 RBI, 2 BB’s, 2 K’s)

RF – Jorge Soler (yet to face Simon)

3B – Luis Valbuena (3-for-11, 1 2B, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 2 BB’s, 2 K’s)

C – Welington Castillo (3-for-10, 1 2B, 1 BB, 2 K’s)

CF – Arismendy Alcantara (0-for-3, 1 K)

2B – Logan Watkins (0-for-1)

P – Travis Wood (yet to face Simon)

* * *

Coming off of an All-Star season in 2013, Travis Wood has hit a significant bump in the road in 2014. Severely under-hyped last season due to his 9-12 record, which was a byproduct of such a miserable offense, his 8-12 record this year proves how silly the win-loss stat can be.

Back on August 26, Wood tossed six shutout innings against Cincinnati, allowing him to pick up just his second career win at Great American Ball Park while not a member of the Reds.

His 2-5 record may not indicate it (with Wood, wins and losses are very rarely ever a fair indicator), but Wood has consistently pitched well against the Reds in his career. His 3.30 ERA and 1.06 WHIP in nine career starts are good for second lowest against clubs in which he has started at least six times.

Here is the lineup he will face via the team’s Twitter account:

CF – Billy Hamilton (2-for-6, 1 2B)

2B – Kristopher Negron (0-for-2, 1 K)

1B – Todd Frazier (7-for-23, 2 HR’s, 6 RBI, 3 BB’s, 4 K’s)

C – Devin Mesoraco (3-for-10, 1 BB)

RF – Yorman Rodriguez (yet to face Wood)

LF – Jason Bourgeois (3-for-8, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 1 K)

3B – Ramon Santiago (2-for-3, 1 RBI)

SS – Jake Elmore (yet to face Wood)

P – Alfredo Simon (yet to face Wood)

* * *

Having created a bit of separation between themselves and the Cubs down the stretch, barring another vicious losing streak, the Reds should have no real fear of finishing in last place in the National League Central.

With that said, the lineup features a much younger (or really, a more back-up) feel to it. On Monday night, it will be Simon v. Wood at 8:05 p.m. from iconic Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois.