Reds vs. Cubs preview: Alexis Díaz and bullpen look to silence Chicago bats May 23-26

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It was some sort of homecoming for Joey Votto. Despite dropping two of three to an excellent Toronto Blue Jays squad, the Reds legend launched a solo go-ahead homer, his first of the season, in the top of the eighth to avoid a sweep north of the border.

After losing their first series in the two weeks, the Cincinnati Reds (12-28) remain in the basement of the National League Central trailing the first-place Milwaukee Brewers by 13.5 games. However, things are getting better. The Reds have won six of their last 10 contests.

Honestly, it's amazing the Reds escaped Toronto with a victory considering Cincinnati scored just five runs in the three-game set. Surprisingly, the Reds received a strong offensive performance in yesterday's series finale from an unlikely source.

Outfielder Aristides Aquino, who was added to the roster when several other Reds players were placed on the restricted list, went 2-for-4, including a double, with two RBIs in Sunday's victory. Granted, it's one game, but for a guy who was hitting .049 with 23 punch outs in 41 at-bats at the time of his demotion, it was great to see.

The Reds and Cubs clash for the first time in 2022.

The Chicago Cubs (16-24) visit the Queen City after narrowly avoiding a four-game series sweep at Wrigley Field by outlasting the Arizona Diamondback 5-4 yesterday afternoon. Entering play today, the Cubbies sit in third-place in the NL Central 9.5 games behind the Brew Crew.

It's hardly an intimidating lineup Cincinnati pitching will be facing. The North Siders are slashing a below-average .231/.309/.373 as a team. Even though third baseman Patrick Wisdom leads the club with nine round-trippers, he's whiffed a remarkable 56 times in only 128 at-bats.

Chicago has found more success on the pitching mound. As play began yesterday, their team ERA of 3.93 was slightly below the 4.00 league average. However, Cub hurlers are prone to the long ball. The 46 gopher balls surrendered are the third most in the senior circuit.

In two of the past three years, Cincinnati has won the season series between the two clubs. Additionally, the Reds were victorious in six of the nine contests at Great American Ball Park during the 2021 campaign.

Previewing the pitching matchups: Reds vs. Cubs

Reds starting pitcher Vladimir Gutierrez vs. Cubs starting pitcher Drew Smyly

Vladimir Gutierrez (0-5 8.65 ERA) makes his first appearance in nearly two weeks as he'll face Chicago's Drew Smyly (1-5 3.97 ERA) in tonight's opener. Interestingly, after being demoted to the bullpen following another poor start on May 11th in Milwaukee, Gutierrez never pitched in relief.

His banishment from the starting rotation was certainly warranted. The Cuban right-hander has not worked more than 4.2 innings in any of his six outings and he's issued 19 free passes in only 26 frames.

Southpaw Drew Smyly has dominated Cincinnati in four career starts against the Redlegs. The 33-year-old is 3-0 with a sparkling 3.10 ERA. However, The Punisher may be his kryptonite. Aristides Aquino has taken Smyly deep twice in six at-bats versus the nine-year veteran.

Reds starting pitcher Tyler Mahle vs. Cubs starting pitcher Marcus Stroman

Following a trio of impressive starts, Tyler Mahle (2-4 5.23 ERA) toes the rubber Tuesday night as Marcus Stroman (1-4 4.88 ERA) gets the call for the North Siders. Mahle has recently displayed the type of outings that warranted him being the club's Opening Day starter.

Over his last 17 innings, the Cincinnati right-hander has allowed just five runs on eight hits while compiling 18 K's. Chicago outfielder Ian Happ is probably begging manager David Ross for an off day on Tuesday. The University of Cincinnati alum is 2-for-20 lifetime versus Mahle with 10 punch outs.

It's safe to say the numbers are not what Cubs fans had in mind when Marcus Stroman was signed to a massive contract during the offseason. However, the right-hander has been excellent in his last two appearances. Tossing a dozen innings, he's allowed just two earned runs on seven hits while collecting 11 strikeouts.

Reds starting pitcher Luis Castillo vs. Cubs starting pitcher Kyle Hendricks

Wednesday night's tilt has Luis Castillo (0-2 4.60 ERA) battling Kyle Hendricks (2-4 4.89 ERA) for David Ross' club. Despite taking the loss in his last start, La Piedra looked like his old, dominant self.

Tossing six innings versus the Blue Jays, Castillo yielded only two runs while compiling five punch outs without issuing a free pass. However, the Cubs have had their way with the right-hander in recent years. La Piedra is just 1-3 with an uncharacteristic 4.82 ERA in his last five starts against the Cubbies.

Expect to see a few souvenirs for fans sitting in the outfield seats when Kyle Henricks pitches at GABP. The longtime Chicago right-hander has been taken deep eight times in his last six starts in the Queen City. Joey Votto is slashing a ridiculous .361/.539/.778 with four bombs in 36 meetings with Hendricks.

Reds starting pitcher Hunter Greene vs. Cubs starting pitcher Justin Steele

Thursday afternoon's matinee series finale will feature Hunter Greene (1-6 5.49 ERA) opposing Justin Steele (1-4 3.82 ERA) of the Cubs. You can't be much better than Greene has been in his last two outings.

Tossing a career-high 118 pitches in holding the Pittsburgh Pirates hitless for 7.1 innings, on May 15th, Greene was the hard-luck loser in a 1-0 defeat. He followed up that performance by hurling six frames of four-hit one-run baseball with six K's against a deep and talented Toronto lineup.

Don't look for Justin Steele to go very deep in Thursday's game. The southpaw has completed six frames in only one start this season and has gone less than four innings in a trio of outings. Additionally, he's lasted just nine innings in two career starts versus the Cincinnati Reds.

Reds rookie Alexis Díaz has been dominant thus far in 2022.

As Ray Parker Jr. once eloquently asked "if there's something weird and it don't look good, who you gonna call?" If you ask Cincinnati manager David Bell, the answer's likely to be Alexis Díaz.

The rookie right-hander has been sensational coming out of the Reds' bullpen. Making 18 appearances, he's 2-0 with an incredible 24 strikeouts in 19.2 innings of work. It appears the key to his success is having the Puerto Rican native enter the game with a fresh inning.

When opening a frame, opposing hitters are just 1-for-16 with eight strikeouts as play began yesterday. Just as important, Diaz has not walked a batter to open an inning. If you're going to have success against Díaz, you better swing at the first pitch.

Entering Sunday, when hitters take a hack at the first Diaz offering, they are slashing .250/.269/.375 with a homer. If you take the first pitch, you might as well turn around and head towards the dugout. Opponents are a paltry 2-for-36 with 14 punch outs. Needless to say, a strong argument can be made that Alexis Díaz is Cincinnati's MVP through the first six weeks of the 2022 season.

Prediction: Reds vs. Cubs

Don't let the series loss to Toronto fool you, Reds Country. The Redlegs are playing much better baseball as of late and the Chicago Cubs are about to find out just how good for themselves.

Look for the Reds to take three of four from the Cubbies before welcoming an excellent San Francisco Giants ball club to town for Memorial Day weekend.

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Looking for relief from the road, Alexis Díaz and the Reds return home to battle the Cubs