Reds vs. Cubs, Game 3 - Preview and Lineups

With a win tonight, the Reds can guarantee at least a split of this four game series with the Cubs, going into a Sunday game where they’ll have Luis Castillo on the mound.

First, they have to win, and it won’t be easy. Kyle Hendricks will take the mound for the Cubs tonight. On the season, Hendricks sports a 3.08 ERA (3.67 FIP), with a 1.089 WHIP. He’s been good, is what I’m saying. He’s been marginally better against specifically the Reds. The last time he pitched at Great American Ball Park, he basically beat the Reds single handedly, firing eight innings of one run ball while knocking in two RBIs of his own.

For the season, Hendricks has pitched 20 innings against the Reds for a 2.70 ERA, 0.850 WHIP, with 21 strikeouts to only four walks.

So, yeah. The Reds will have their work cut out for them. However, Kyle Hendricks has never had to face Aristides Aquino.

Sonny Gray will go for the Reds. He’s actually pitched really well against the Cubs this season. He’s allowed seven earned runs in 17 innings, but five of those have come from home runs. Otherwise, he owns a 0.692 WHIP with 21 strikeouts and only one walk.

This is a pretty big game.

Reds lineup

Cubs lineup