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Carlos Marmol walking in the winning run at a day game in Wrigley is the most Cubs thing ever. Hopefully, the Reds can take home another slice of the Cubs experience on Sunday as they attempt their first three game sweep of the season. On paper, this does not appear to be a Sisyphean challenge against Edwin Jackson, his 6.27 ERA, and his 0-4 record. Meanwhile, the Reds will bring to the mound Mat Latos who is coming off the best April in his career in the midst of a 17-inning scoreless streak.
Despite the solid pitching performance from Tony Cingrani and the alright job done by Mike Leake on Friday, the Reds bullpen could use Mat Latos going deep into today's game. Whether it be the weather or something else, Chapman's bad juju at Wrigley this weekend has made him into something other than the most dominant closer in the game. Likewise, Broxton could use getaway day as an opportunity to relax and eat one of those hot dogs with the neon green relish. More succinctly, the Reds could use an eight run win today where they get ahead early.
Unfortunately for the Reds, it is not in their best interest to simply wait for the Cubs' bullpen to implode again. They need to improve on their apparent feast-or-famine run production in 2013. There are some hints at improvements from yesterday's game as Zack Cozart went 1 for 3 and Todd Frazier came up with a timely RBI. These players ironing our their inconsistencies, coupled with regular starts from Devin Mesoraco, should provide the Reds with the consistent run support needed to complement their dominant starting pitching.
It's the Reds! It's the Cubs. It should be a sweep! Go Reds, they're my favorite team!