Reds vs. Cubs: Pitching preview, prediction, and more

Reds’ killer Kris Bryant is having an outstanding season.

Slashing .320/.405/.604 with 11 homers and 32 RBIs, Kris Bryant has firmly entered his name into the MVP conversation. Sporting a 178 OPS+, the former MVP trails only Nick Castellanos in that department among senior circuit hitters entering play on Thursday. However, familiar sidekicks are wreaking havoc as well.

First baseman Anthony Rizzo is having a typical Rizzo-like season. The longtime Chicago first baseman has .366 OBP and has 26 walks while only being punched out 24 times. His 32 round-trippers versus the Redlegs are the most he’s hit against any opponent.

Javier Baez is tied with Bryant for the team lead in both homers and run batted in. However, the free-swinging shortstop is never going to be a fan of the analytics crowd. The 28-year-old has drawn just six free passes in 165 at-bats and has gone down swinging a remarkable 63 times, which is the second-highest rate in the NL.

Manager David Ross likes to use and his bullpen, and for good reason. Cubs’ firemen hold opponents to a league-low .204 batting average. Additionally, Chicago’s 2.87 bullpen ERA is the second-best mark among senior circuit relief corps, and their 191 innings pitched is the fourth-highest total.

Right-hander Dillon Maples has been dominating out of the Cubbies’ bullpen. Tossing 15.2 frames, he allowed just six hits while striking out 25 opposing batters. Opponents are hitting a lowly .118 versus the North Carolina native.

The Cubs’ firepower, however, is limited to their bullpen. Chicago starters have fanned a league-worst 207 hitters and surrendered a league-high 44 long balls. Right-hander Kyle Hendricks 11 gopher balls trails only the dozed yielded by the Atlanta Braves Drew Smyly for the most in the National League.