We resume.
Whom:
Cubs vs. Cincinnati
When:
6:10 PM Chicago Time
Where:
Great American Ballpark
Weather:
Temperature around seventy degrees, wind blowing out to right at ten miles per hour. Could see some Schwarb—oh. Right.
Starting Pitchers:
Alec Mills vs. Sonny Gray
The Opponent:
Gray’s had some injury problems this year, and he hasn’t made a start since throwing three innings on June 8th (groin). When he’s pitched, though, he’s been effective, with a 3.42 ERA backed by a 3.60 xERA and a 3.96 FIP.
As a whole, the Reds really miss Mike Moustakas, and Tejay Antone recently went on the IL as well. Not a great time for the Reds, but they did avoid a sweep at the hand of the Padres, and they’re only a game and a half back of the Cubs for second place, sitting at .500 as they hit their halfway point with tonight’s game.
The Numbers:
The Cubs are +140 underdogs with their hosts at -150, so about a 39% chance of a win. Not great. Over/under’s at 9½ and leans towards the over.
Around the Division:
As said, the Reds beat the Padres yesterday, while the Brewers beat the Pirates and the Cardinals lost to the Rockies.
Standings, FanGraphs division championship probabilities:
1. Milwaukee: 49-33, 85.0%
2. Cubs: 42-39, 7.1%
3. Cincinnati: 40-40, 6.1%
4. St. Louis: 40-42, 1.8%
5. Pittsburgh: 29-51, 0.0%
It’s Adrian Houser vs. JT Brubaker tonight in Pittsburgh. Johan Oviedo vs. Chi Chi González in Denver.
Cubs News:
Tommy Nance has been sent back down. No word on who’ll replace him. Nico Hoerner? Kyle Ryan? Cory Abbott?
Cubs Thoughts:
Just gotta try to win tonight. About all you can do. No word (at least that I’ve seen) on Patrick Wisdom, Kris Bryant, or Anthony Rizzo. Could see some roster moves beyond the Nance replacement. Need a certain number of available position players. Currently have fewer than that number.
