Reds at Cubs, Game 1 - Preview and Lineups

After a weekend where the Reds fought out a gritty series win, it sure didn’t feel like it. Saturday’s loss still feels kind of like a gut punch, even if a solid performance Sunday kind of makes up for it. The Reds find themselves at 70-80, and could still end with a winning season if they win out. In the throes of September, that’s about all we can ask for at this point.

The Reds have a surprise starter on the mound today in Kevin Gausman. Since being acquired from the Braves in early August, Gausman has pitched in 11 games for the Reds, but all of them were out of the bullpen. Prior to that, though, he threw 16 starts for the Braves earlier in the season, to the tune of a 6.19 ERA. He hasn’t started against the Cubs so far this season, but he did give up 2 runs against them in his Reds debut.

Cole Hamels gets the ball for Chicago. He’s still coming off of an oblique injury that he sustained at the end of June (in a start against the Reds), so that’ll be the story there.

Blandino leading off, Suarez hitting 3rd looking for the big league dinger lead, and Lorenzen manning CF today.

Go Reds.

Reds lineup

Snakes lineup