Sizzling Nick Senzel and the Reds battle the Cubs in the not-so-friendly confines of Wrigley Field

Previewing the pitching matchups: Reds vs. Cubs

Reds starting pitcher Luis Castillo vs. Cubs starting pitcher Keegan Thompson

Today is La Piedra Day as Luis Castillo (2-4 3.71 ERA) faces Keegan Thompson (7-2 3.10) of the Cubs in tonight's opener. If history is any indication, Castillo will have his work cut out for him versus Chicago.

Jason Heyward, Willson Contreras, and notorious Reds killer, Ian Happ all have a career average of .333 or better with a combined four round-trippers and 13 ribbies against the Cincinnati right-hander. Lifetime Castillo is 3-2 with a 4.14 ERA in seven career starts at Wrigley Field.

Let's hope Keegan Thompson's first career start versus the Reds does not resemble his last two outings. The 27-year-old right-hander has allowed just one run on six hits with 16 K's in his last 12 innings. That's getting it done.

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

Rookie Hunter Greene (3-8 5.66 ERA) toes the rubber Wednesday night opposing Justin Steele (2-5 4.59 ERA) for David Ross's club. Following being awarded Player of the Week honors, it's been tough sledding for Greene.

During his last two appearances, the 22-year-old right-hander has been torched for 10 runs in as many frames while being taken deep five times. Even though he was the winner in the Reds' 20-5 shellacking of the Cubs on May 25th, Chicago hit three-round trippers and dented the plate five times in five innings against Hunter Greene.

To say Justin Steele would like to forget his last starts versus Cincinnati is an understatement. The southpaw lasted just two innings as the Redlegs smacked him around for seven runs in only two innings of work. He's winless in three career starts with a 9.82 ERA when facing the Reds.

Reds starting pitcher Graham Ashcraft vs. Cubs starting pitcher Kyle Hendricks

Thursday night's series finale features Graham Ashcraft (4-1 3.27 ERA) battling Chicago's Kyle Hendricks (3-6 4.90 ERA). Ashcraft has been a revelation in his first seven career starts in the majors.

Tossing 41.1 frames, the right-hander has issued only seven free passes and surrendered four long balls. Even more impressive, he hasn't allowed multiple homers or walked more than two batters in a game. If Ashcraft continues to throw strikes and keep the ball in the yard, he could end up being Cincinnati's most valuable rookie this year.

It's feast or famine when it comes to Kyle Hendricks facing the Cincinnati Reds. In three of their last five meetings, the veteran right-hander has been rocked for 14 runs in 14.2 innings. In the other two outings, the 32-year-old Dartmouth alum has limited Cincinnati to two runs in a dozen frames. What happens Thursday? Your guess is as good as mine.

Nick Senzel is beginning to show Reds fans why he was a first-round pick.

Granted it's only a week, but Nick Senzel is showing glimpses of what Reds Country has been waiting to see for the last three years. Over his last seven games, the Cincinnati Reds centerfielder is hitting .381 with four RBIs, and three stolen bases.

Perhaps being moved to the bottom of the batting order is just what the doctor ordered for Lil Senz. In five games in the eight-hole, the 26-year-old, former first-round pick is slashing .588/.611/.706 with a monster 1.317 OPS in 17 at-bats hitting eighth.

It's hard to believe, but the 46 games Senzel has appeared in this year are the most since the 104 games he's played during his 2019 rookie campaign. Even though he's in his fourth year in the big leagues, Reds Country still does not know exactly what kind of player he is.

What we do know is that Senzel is turning himself into an above-average defender in the outfielder with elite speed. According to Baseball Savant, the University of Tennessee alum owns a +1 OAA (outs above average) and ranks in the 84th percentile in sprint speed.

If Nick Senzel's bat catches up to his defense, the Reds will have another solid building block to add to the foundation for their next competitive ball club.

Prediction: Reds vs. Cubs

It's been a tough month for the Redlegs. Saddled with an 8-16 mark, Cincinnati has an opportunity to jump-start their July with a strong ending to June. Look for the Reds to take advantage of that opportunity by snagging two of three from the Cubs.

The Cincinnati Reds will need all the momentum they can muster as they open an 11-game homestand Friday night as the World Champion Atlanta Braves visit Great American Ball Park.