Cubs at Reds, Game 3 - Preview and Lineups

Thanks to the late dinger by Eugenio Suarez and the walk-off wall-banger from Yasiel Puig, the Cincinnati Reds have a chance to pick up a much needed series victory against the Chicago Cubs on Thursday evening. And, they’ll get that chance with their ace on the mound, as Luis Castillo will toe the rubber in the rubber match.

Meanwhile, the Cubs will send lefty Jose Quintana to the mound, and that leads us to an interesting segue. See, for all the foibles the Reds offense has stumbled through so far this season, hitting left-handed pitching hasn’t really been one. Their 104 wRC+ against lefties ranks tied for 11th among all MLB teams, their .199 ISO 10th, and their .765 OPS against lefties dwarfs the putrid .662 OPS they’ve mustered against righties so far in 2019.

That said, Quintana has largely been solid against the Reds in his career, as he’s the owner of a 3.69 ERA against them in 6 career starts. In GABP, he’s started twice, with a 3.00 ERA in 12 IP, having surrendered a lone dinger in that time. In a somewhat hilarious twist, Luis Castillo is actually 2 for 7 lifetime against Quintana, so he’ll certainly be appreciating how the pitching matchup lined up. Also, perhaps this will be a night where Joey Votto can get untracked offensively, seeing has he has owned Quintana in their careers (7 for 14 with 4 doubles).

First pitch is set for 6:40 PM ET, again.

Go Reds.

Reds Lineup

Cubs Lineup