Cincinnati Reds Series Preview: Wrigley Road Trip

The division-leading Cincinnati Reds are heading out on the road looking to continue their hot start.

With a 5-1 record to their name, the Reds will embark on their first road trip of the season this week, starting in Wrigley Field take on the Chicago Cubs. Regarded as the World Series favorites by many, the Cubs are off to a fast start as well, sitting even with the Reds at 5-1 to share first place in the National League Central.

The Reds will get the luxury of missing reigning NL Cy Young winner Jake Arrieta during their trip to the Windy City, but they’ll nonetheless have a tough battle in store if they want to remain on top in the division.

Last year’s matchup

• As their records may have indicated, the Cubs took it to the Reds in 2015, winning 13 of 19 games.
• The Reds were outscored 92-80 in the season series.
• Playing on the road in Wrigley Field, the Reds went 4-6 despite scoring the same amount of runs (45) as the Cubs.

Cubs scouting report

Their young talent has arrived in the big leagues and after a run to the NLCS last year, the Cubs are the popular pick to take home the World Series title in 2016 for the first time in 108 years. Joe Maddon‘s team is stacked with talent from the top of the roster to the bottom, ranking second in baseball in runs scored (42) and fifth in ERA (2.52). Leading the charge on offense is first baseman Anthony Rizzo, who finished fourth in NL MVP voting last season, along with third baseman Kris Bryant, the reigning NL Rookie of the Year. The team also added right fielder Jason Heyward and the versatile Ben Zobrist in the offseason, giving them a lineup to strike fear into any opposing team. Their starting rotation also stands to be a major strength, with Arrieta and lefty Jon Lester forming arguably the best one-two punch in the game. And gone are the days when Cubs fans had to bite their fingernails at the end of games, as Hector Rondon anchors a bullpen that has allowed only two runs through the front six games.

Probable pitchers

Game 1 (April 11, 8:05 p.m. ET)

• Brandon Finnegan (0-0, 3.00 ERA, 2.88 FIP) vs. Jon Lester (1-0, 1.29 ERA, 2.07 FIP)

Game 2 (April 13, 8:05 p.m. ET) 

• Alfredo Simon (0-0, 1.80 ERA, 2.81 FIP) vs. John Lackey (1-0, 9.00 ERA, 6.71 FIP)

Game 3 (April 14, 8:05 p.m. ET) 

• Raisel Iglesias (1-0, 2.31 ERA, 2.78 FIP) vs. Jason Hammel (0-0, 1.50 ERA, 2.71 FIP)

Players to watch

• Reds: Joey Votto

While Eugenio Suarez and Jay Bruce have carried the Reds’ offense during the sizzling start, the season has began rather sluggishly for team’s best player. Through 26 plate appearances, Votto is hitting only .174/.269/.174 with no extra-base hits and six strikeouts against three walks. The first baseman is undoubtedly one of the best hitters in the game, so this is hardly a cause for concern, but the offense could ascend to another level if he can get it going in Wrigley Field this week.

• Cubs: Dexter Fowler

No one on the Chicago roster has gotten off to a hotter start at the plate than Fowler. The center fielder has reached base in more than half of his 25 plate appearances, going 10-for-19 with five walks. Four of those 10 hits have gone for extra bases, as he already owns two doubles, a triple and a home run. The Reds will already have their hands full with Heyward, Rizzo and Bryant hitting behind him, so keeping Fowler off base will be crucial for Cincinnati pitching.

Injury report

Anthony DeSclafani is scheduled to play long toss on Wednesday, but his recovery from an oblique strain has been slow going, making him a long shot to make his debut on Friday against the Cardinals. Jon Moscot made a rehab start with Double-A Pensacola last Thursday and will start for Triple-A Louisville on Tuesday as he works his way back from an intercostal strain. He looks to be in line to start Sunday’s game when the Reds need a fifth starter for the first time this season.

The Cubs have already been dealt a painful blow, losing catcher and left fielder Kyle Schwarber for the season after he tore his left ACL and LCL in an outfield collision. The team is also without second baseman Javier Baez, who is set to begin a rehab assignment as he recovers from a left thumb contusion. Relievers Dallas Beeler (right shoulder inflammation), Aaron Brooks (hip contusion) and Zac Rosscup (left shoulder inflammation) are also on the disabled list.