Game 112 Preview & Thread: Reds @ Cubs (8:05 EDT). Leake vs. Volstad.

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Cincinnati Reds
@ Chicago Cubs

Thursday, Aug 9, 2012, 8:05 PM EDT
Wrigley Field

Mike Leake vs Chris Volstad

Coverage

TV: FSO-HD, CSC-HD; RADIO: WLW, WGN; WEB: MLB.tv, Gameday Audio, Gameday

Weather

Mostly cloudy,rain. Winds blowing in from center field at 10-15 m.p.h. Game time temperature around 75.

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That'll be enough losses. You proved your point. We don't actually like close pennant races.

Mike Leake, at least by ERA+, is the weakest starting pitcher for the Reds this season. The beauty of the Reds this season, though, is that no one else is even below 100. ON THE ENTIRE STAFF (If you disregard Bill Bray, while including Broxton's KC numbers). Last year, Leake was just above a league-average mark, while Cueto was the only Reds' starter above him. The Reds are getting a lot of good starting pitching, with no injury or option interruptions. So Leake's recent stumbles are a lot easier to take.

What Leake has to do, though, is be able to handle the Cubs - a team with the lowest runs-per-game average in the National League. With the wind blowing in, facing the Cubs after the trade deadline, Leake should be able to stop worrying about threading the needle. If he can build a little confidence here, maybe he get below 10 H/9 and ride a wavy-hair vibe through some important starts over the last two months.

Mike Leake	Stats	Chris Volstad
4.51 (94)	ERA (ERA+)	7.22
1.337	WHIP	1.567
2.97	K/BB	1.67
4.23	FIP	4.27
3.67	xFIP	4.63
3.89	SIERA	4.72
125.2	IP	52.1