Reds at Cubs, Game One: A Preview

The Reds are at Wrigley this evening where they can continue to play spoiler should they play well enough to, you know, win. They did some damage to the Dodgers playoff hopes earlier this week, taking 3 of 4 from the Blue Men in Cincinnati. The Cubs just lost 2 of 3 from the Brewers, and remain only a game and a half up in the NL Central.

Milwaukee plays the Pirates at home this weekend. The aforementioned Dodgers are in St. Louis taking on the Cardinals in a tight Wild Card (as it stands) matchup.

The Reds have played the Cubs tough all season and if they can continue that, they might be able to have a big say in flipping the division lead.

Matt Harvey will go once more for the Redlegs. He’s coming off two pretty decent starts, having not given up more than 3 runs in his last two outings, both 6 innings appearances. He allowed only 1 run to these same Cubs in this same ballpark through 5.1 innings just about three weeks ago.

Cole Hamels will make his 8th start for the Cubs and he’s been dominant since coming to the North Side. In fact, in the last series these two teams played that I mentioned above, Hamels owned the Reds. He threw a complete game allowing only 1 run and 1 walk, while striking out 7. Cole Hamels is nearly 35 years old, but he’s been exactly what the doctor ordered for the Cubs. He’s got a 1.42 ERA in 50.2 IP since arriving in Chicago.

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