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

The Reds return home following a difficult road trip.

While it’s tough to get too excited following a 3-4 road trip, the Cincinnati Reds (64-55) should be rolling back into the Queen City with a sense of relief and satisfaction. After dropping the first three games of the trip, the Reds rebounded to win three of their last four contests in Atlanta and Philadelphia to avert disaster.

The Reds enter play today in second place in the National League Central trailing the first-place Milwaukee Brewers by eight games. In addition, they sit 2.5 games behind the San Diego Padres for the second and final Wild Card berth.

Suddenly the Reds also need to pay attention to their rearview mirror. Winners of six in a row and eight of their last 10 contests, the St. Louis Cardinals have moved within two games of the Redlegs for the NL Central’s second spot.

However, following a week of games versus the Pittsburgh Pirates and Kansas City Royals, the Redbirds’ schedule gets considerably more difficult as they welcome the Brewers to town for a three-game set beginning tomorrow night.

As far as the Chicago Cubs (52-68) are concerned, things could not be much worse. Losers of 11 straight and 22 of their last 30, the North Siders are 20.5 games back in the NL Central in fourth place. Since July 1st, the Cubs are a dismal 10-29. Woof!

Barring a miracle, the Cubbies are destined for their first losing season since the 2014 campaign. For a franchise that has gone to the postseason in five of the last six years, the good times have come to a resounding halt in the Windy City.

For a reeling Cubs squad, Cincinnati is the last place they want to visit. This year, the Reds are 9-4 against the Cubs, including a 6-1 mark at Great American Ball Park. So thankfully, for Cubbie fans, this will be their last visit to Southwest Ohio this year.

You’ll need a scorecard to recognize this Cubs’ roster.

As the dust settled on the 2021 July trade deadline, Cubs fans must have felt like they were run over by a Mack truck. When the Cubbies opened their July 30th series in Washington DC against the Nationals, Javier Baez, Kris Bryant, Craig Kimbrel, and Anthony Rizzo were all wearing different uniforms.

Just five seasons removed from their first World Series victory since 1908, Wilson Contreras, Kyle Hendricks, and Jason Heyward remain the only connection to the 2016 championship team. It may not be 108 years until their next title, but a championship won’t arrive to the Friendly Confines anytime soon.

Currently, the aforementioned Contreras and Heyward are both on the IL with various injuries, along with other recognizable names such as Nico Hoerner. In their place are the likes of 37-year-old backstop Robinson Chirinos and rookies Sergio Alcantara and Frank Schwindel.

Talk about making a positive first impression Schwindel has done just that. A former 18th-round selection of the Kansas City Royals, the 29-year-old right-handed hitter has been on fire since joining the Cubs.

Playing for his third organization in three seasons following releases from the Royals and the Oakland A’s, Schwindel is slashing .381/.422./.714 with three homers and 12 RBI’s in 42 at-bats entering play yesterday. Is he a long-term answer for the Cubs? Chances are he’s not, but I’m sure they’ll ride his hot hand as long as possible.

Previewing the pitching matchups: Reds vs. Cubs

Wade Miley (9-4 3.00 ERA) kicks off the festivities this evening as Chicago manager David Ross counters with Justin Steele (2-1 2.95 ERA) for the Cubs. The Cincinnati southpaw will be making his fourth start against the North Siders this season.

In his previous three starts versus Chicago, the Cubs have made Miley work. Tossing 16 innings, the Cubbies have 22 hits and have dented the plate seven times against the left-hander. If Miley can find his way to the winner’s circle this evening, it would give double-digit victories for the fifth time in his 11-year career.

Rookie left-hander Justin Steele will be making his second career start following 11 appearances out of the Cubs bullpen. The 26-year-old southpaw is a former fifth-round selection of the Cubs in the 2014 draft. He’s faced the Reds twice in relief this season, allowing three runs in as many innings. Both Tucker Barnhart and Nick Castellanos have taken the rookie deep this year.

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Tuesday night finds Vladimir Gutierrez (8-3 3.95 ERA) toeing the rubber against veteran Kyle Hendricks (13-5 4.15 ERA) of the Cubbies. The Cincinnati right-hander is trying to accomplish a feat not seen in the Queen City in this century.

The last Reds rookie pitcher to win at least 10 games in a season was Scott Williamson in 1999.However, if Gutierrez continues to pitch the way he has over his past seven starts, 21st-century history will be made sooner rather than later.

Gutierrez has allowed more than two earned runs in a start only once since July 5th. Over that timespan, the Cuban native is 5-0 with a sparkling 3.05 ERA. While Jonathan India and Tyler Stephenson have rightfully earned much of the rookie accolades, let’s not sleep on the impressive season Gutierrez has compiled.

Even though Chicago’s Kyle Hendricks leads the senior circuit in victories, chances are Monday night will be a restless night of sleep for the longtime Cubs hurler. In this last five starts versus the Reds, the right-hander is winless with a 9.26 ERA and has allowed a whopping 43 hits in 23.1 frames, including eight round-trippers. Yikes!

Wednesday afternoon’s matinee series finale will feature Tyler Mahle (10-3 3.58 ERA) on the bump for the Redlegs. Chicago manager David Ross has not yet announced a starter for the North Siders.

Speaking of double-digit wins, the Cincinnati right-hander crossed the threshold for the first time in his career following a three-hit seven shutout inning performance versus the Philadelphia Phillies on Friday night. Look for additional positive results from Mahle on Wednesday.

In his last three starts against the Cubs, Mahle has yielded just one earned run in 16 innings while punching out 17 North Siders. The Cubs and Mahle are no strangers to one another. This will be the 26-year-old California native’s fifth start versus Chicago this season.