CHICAGO CUBS NOTES:
Cubs vs. Reds
The Cubs and Reds play 13 games spanning four series … following this series the teams meet for three games at Wrigley Field May 26-28 … Chicago last season went 11-8 vs. the Reds, its first season series victory over Cincinnati since going 11-8 in 2018.
CUBS AIM TO REBOUND: The Chicago Cubs tonight play the second of three games against the Cincinnati Reds after dropping last evening’s series opener, 7-6 … the team has dropped three-straight games after winning on Opening Day … this marks the club’s first 1-3 start since 2019 (1-4 after five games that year) … following this three-game set against the Reds, the Cubs return home for a Thursday off day prior to a six-game homestand against the Rangers (3 games starting April 7) and Mariners (3 games beginning April 10).
© The Cubs open the season with 16 of their first 25 games through April 27 at Wrigley Field … of those first 25 tilts, just six are against their own division, the N.L. Central: the just-completed Brewers series and this series against the Reds … in fact, after this series the Cubs play 29-straight games outside of the division until hosting the Cardinals for three games, May 8-10.
© What’s even more odd? … following this series in Cincinnati the team’s next road series against an opponent in its own division is not until June 19-21 for three games in Pittsburgh.
DISHING ON DANSBY: As the charts on the lower right of this page indicate, Dansby Swanson has had a prolific start at the dish in his Cubs career … Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) points out that Swanson is the first Cub since at least 1901 with at least three three-hit games within the team’s first four games of the season.
© In this season’s early going Swanson is 5-for-6 when dealing with a two-strike count … since the start of last season, his 77 hits with two strikes in the count rank tied for sixth-most in baseball (Xander Bogaerts leads with 84).
THAT’S THE WAY TO GET ON THE BOARD: Cubs outfielder Cody Bellinger snapped a season-opening 0-for-11 with a three-run first-inning home run last night in Cincinnati … he’s the first player to homer to end a drought of at least 11 at-bats to open his Cubs career since, well, just two years ago – Joc Pederson collected his first hit, a home run, on April 7, 2021, vs. Milwaukee after going hitless in his first 16 at-bats as a Cub.
WEZ ON THE BUMP: Cubs rookie Hayden Wesneski makes his first start of the season after having made his major league debut in 2022 – he posted a 3-2 record with a 2.18 ERA (8 ER/33.0 IP) in six starts at the end of the season … that includes two outings against the Reds in which he was 1-1 with a 0.82 ERA (1 ER/11.0 IP).
COMFY IN CINCY: Ian Happ, who was the first University of Cincinnati Bearcat to be selected in the first round of the MLB First-Year Player Draft when he was picked ninth overall by Chicago in the 2015 draft, has batted .290 (82-for-283) with 26 homers and 63 RBI in 90 games against the Reds.
© In 43 games at Great American Ball Park, Happ has hit .311 (46-for-148) with a 1.113 OPS thanks in part to 28 extra-base hits including 16 homers.
© Eric Hosmer last night was 3-for-5 with a double and two RBI and is batting .375 (21-for-56) with five homers, 15 RBI and a 1.130 OPS in 15 games here.
MANY HAPPY RETURNS: Cubs catcher Tucker Barnhart this week returns to Great American Ball Park for the first time since he spent eight seasons with the Reds … he made his major league debut with Cincinnati in 2014 and was with the club through 2021 before he landed with Detroit for the 2022 season.
© Barnhart won two N.L. Gold Gloves while with the Reds, earning the honor in 2017 and 2020 … he played 744 games for the Reds.
WORD TO THE WISE: Patrick Wisdom on Sunday recorded his sixth career multi-homer effort, going 2-for-4 with two solo shots against the Brewers at Wrigley Field … since the start of the 2021 season, Wisdom has averaged one home run every 14.87 atbats, the second-best rate among N.L. hitters with at least 900 plate appearances (Kyle Schwarber leads with one homer every 12.10 at-bats).
© Wisdom’s 55 homers since the start of the 2021 season are 12th-most among N.L. hitters.
PITCHING IN: After Marcus Stroman spun 6.0 shutout innings with eight strikeouts on Thursday’s Opening Day, Justin Steele matched him with 6.0 scoreless innings and eight strikeouts on Saturday … this marked the first time since the mound was moved to 60’6” in 1893 that the Cubs began the season with back-to-back starts of at least 6.0 shutout innings … thanks to Ed Hartig for his research assistance.
DEBUT DANDIES: The Cubs had five players in their Opening Day starting lineup making their team debuts: Cody Bellinger, Eric Hosmer, Trey Mancini, Miles Mastrobuoni and Dansby Swanson … team historian Ed Hartig notes that just twice in the franchise’s first 21,932 regular season games have more players made their Cubs debut in a game … April 25, 1876, the Cubs first N.L. game, saw nine Cubs make their debuts … April 2, 2001, eight players made their Cubs debut.
© Along with the aforementioned five newcomers in the Opening Day starting lineup, seven others have made their Cubs debut (Barnhart, Boxberger, Fulmer, Merryweather, Rios, Taillon and Torrens) to bring the Cubs all-time regular season roster to 2,212 players since 1876.
ROSSY AT THE HELM: David Ross is in his fourth season as manager of the Cubs after he was named the 55th manager in franchise history, October 24, 2019, replacing Joe Maddon … this is Ross’ 26th professional baseball season … he played 15 major league seasons as a catcher, including his final two with Chicago (2015-16) … is a two-time World Series champ with Boston (in 2013) and Chicago (2016).
© Ross in 2020 led the Cubs to the N.L. Central Division title … the 2021 club was 71-91, a season in which Chicago utilized a MLB single-season record 69 players, and last year went 74-88.
Starting Pitcher – #19 RHP Hayden Wesneski
Last Time Out
Hayden in his last spring outing vs. Arizona March 23, allowed one unearned run in 5.0 IP … struck out four-plus batters for the fourth time in five Cactus League starts.
Date Opp. Result IP H R ER BB SO PC-S Left
3/23 ARI W, 11-1 5.0 4 1 0 2 5 – –
2022 Splits and Season Notes
W-L ERA G GS IP H R ER BB SO
Home 2-1 2.18 4 2 20.2 15 5 5 4 21
Road 1-1 2.19 2 2 12.1 9 4 3 3 12
AVG vs. LHB: .159 (7-for-44) / AVG vs. RHB: .221 (17-for-77)
Hayden in 2022 made his major league debut, appearing in six games (four starts) with Chicago, going 3-2 and posting a 2.18 ERA (8 ER/33.0 IP) … recorded 33 strikeouts, registered a 0.94 WHIP and .198 opponent batting average.
© After his debut on Sept. 6, his 2.18 ERA ranked ninth among qualified major league pitchers.
© Made his major league debut in relief Sept. 6, 2022, against Cincinnati (5.0 IP, 0 R, 2 H, BB, 8 SO) … he earned his first career win in the outing … became the first reliever in major league history (since at least 1901) to make his major league debut with at least 5.0 scoreless innings, allowing two or fewer hits and striking out at least eight batters.
© Made his first major league start Sept. 17 against the Rockies, allowing one run on three hits and seven strikeouts in 7.0 innings … became the first Cubs rookie with a start of at least 7.0 innings while allowing one run or fewer, walking none and striking out at least seven batters since Mark Prior (July 19, 2002).
© In the fifth inning on Sept. 22 at Pittsburgh, tossed the Cubs’ first immaculate inning since LaTroy Hawkins did so, Sept. 11, 2004 against the Marlins.
© Appeared in five games (four starts) for Triple-A Iowa, posting a 5.66 ERA (13 ER/20.2 IP) prior to his selection Sept. 6.
© Was acquired from the Yankees on Aug. 1 for right-handed pitcher Scott Effross.
© Went 6-7 with a 3.51 ERA (35 ER/89.2 IP) in 19 starts for Triple-A Scranton/ Wilkes-Barre, with 83 strikeouts.
Career Notes
Hayden is in his second season in the Cubs organization, his fifth professional campaign overall.
© Ranked as the Cubs’ No. 5 prospect by MLB.com entering the 2023 season.
© Was acquired from New York (A.L.) on Aug. 1, 2022, for pitcher Scott Effross.
© During parts of three seasons in the minors in the Yankees (2019-2022) and Cubs (2022) organizations, he is 18-16 in 67 games (47 starts) … has posted a 3.68 ERA (110 ER/269.0 IP) with 287 strikeouts, 78 walks and a 1.16 WHIP.
© In 2021, was named Double-A Northeast Pitcher of the Month for September, going 3-0 with one complete game and a 1.35 ERA (3 ER/20.0 IP) in three starts.
© Following the 2021 season, was ranked as the No. 6 prospect in the Yankees organization by Baseball America and an Organization All-Star by MiLB.com
© Selected by New York (A.L.) in the sixth round of the 2019 draft out of Sam Houston State University.
© Attended Sam Houston State University (Hunstville, Tex.) … graduated from CyFair High School (Cypress, Tex.).
Wesneski’s 2022 Arsenal
Pitch Pct. Thrown Avg. MPH Avg. EV HR SO Whiff BAA
Slider 32.0% 81.2 83.1 2 20 33.8% .119
4-Seam 25.5% 93.1 85.5 0 7 24.2% .120
Sinker 22.5% 92.0 85.7 0 1 14.3% .300
Cutter 12.3% 88.7 76.1 1 4 30.6% .250
Change 7.7% 87.0 81.0 0 1 30.0% .375
CINCINNATI REDS NOTES:
REDS HOTS
• The Reds today sent to Louisville on rehabilitation assignments RHP Tony Santillan (low back Pars stress fracture) and IF/OF Nick Senzel (11/14/22 surgery to repair a sesamoid fracture in his left great toe).
• With a 3-1 record, the Reds are 2 games over .500 for the first time since they finished the 2021 season 4 games over at 83-79.
• In 2022, the Reds didn’t earn their third win until the 16th game (4/24) and didn’t win their fourth until the 26th game (5/7).
TONIGHT’S GAME
• Is Game 2 of 3-game series vs Tucker Barnhart’s Cubs and Game 5 of a 6-game homestand that included a season-opening 2-1 series win vs Pit.
• Following tomorrow’s game the Reds will travel to Phi (3g) and to Atl (3g) for their first road trip, including the Phillies’ home opener on Thu.
SERIES NOTES
• The Reds in 2022 went 8-11 vs Cubs, including 5-4 at Great American Ball Park, 3-6 at Wrigley Field and a 4-2 “home” loss on 8/11 in the Field of Dreams game in Dyersville, Iowa.
• The teams met in the final 6 games of the 2022 championship season (3g at Wrigley Field, 3g at Great American Ball Park), the longest continuous stretch of games between the Reds and Cubs since they played 7 straight games from 8/29-9/5, 1931…@EliasSports.
PHILLIES UP NEXT
• With a minimum of 50 games played, the Reds’ .328 winning percentage at Phi’s Citizens Bank Park (20-41) is their lowest at any road ballpark.
• The Reds went 3-13-2 in their 18 previous series vs the Phillies at CBP, their only series wins there in August 2006, May 2017 & August 2021.
• Since May 2014, the Reds have lost 17 of their last 24 games at CBP.
REHABBING
• 1B Joey Votto (8/19/22, surgeries to repair the left biceps and torn rotator cuff in his left shoulder) is rehabbing with Louisville (2g, 2-8, solo HR, 1bb, 4k)…in the opener of Sat’s doubleheader at Nashville, he hit a solo HR off Caleb Boushley on the first pitch he was thrown.
• IF/OF Nick Senzel (11/14/22 surgery to repair a sesamoid fracture in his left great toe)…today joined Louisville on a rehabilitation assignment.
• RHP Tony Santillan (low back Pars stress fracture)…today joined Louisville on a rehabilitation assignment.
• RHP Lucas Sims (low back spasms) is rehabbing at the Reds’ player development complex in Goodyear.
• RHP Luke Weaver (right elbow flexor strain) has been rehabbing with the team in Cincinnati.
THE SKIPPER…: David Bell is in his fifth season as a Major League manager (254-296, .462, 2020 Wild Card)…was hired on 10/22/18…on 9/22/21, the club announced a 2-year contract extension through 2023.
• David and his father, Buddy, is the fourth father-son duo to serve as Major League managers, joining George & Dick Sisler, Bob & Joel Skinner and Bob & Aaron Boone…Buddy managed Det (1996-1998), Col (2000- 2002) and KC (2005-2007).
• David previously spent 4 seasons in the Reds organization’s player development department as a manager, at Class AA Carolina from 2009-
2011 and at Class AAA Louisville in 2012.
SHORT HOPS: For the seventh consecutive year, the Reds started a different shortstop on Opening Day (Zack Cozart 2012-2017, José Peraza 2018, José Iglesias 2019, Freddy Galvis 2020, Eugenio Suárez 2021, Kyle Farmer 2022, Jose Barrero in 2023).
• It is the Reds’ longest such streak since 1900 for that position.
• 3 previous times since 1900, there were stretches of at least 7 straight Opening Days without consecutive starts at shortstop by the same player (though not necessarily 7 different shortstops): 1906-1914 (Mike Mowrey, 2 starts), 1968- 1974 (Dave Concepcion, 3 starts) and 2004-2012 (Alex Gonzalez, 2 starts)…notes courtesy @EliasSports.
• In 2022, Kyle Farmer led the Reds with 97 starts at SS…on 11/18/22, he was traded to the Twins for RHP Casey Legumina.
Tonight’s Pitcher – #85 Luis Cessa, RHP
• Tonight is making his first appearance and start of the season in the Reds’ fifth game…will be his 11th career appearance and third start vs the Cubs.
• Made his fifth Opening Day roster (2016, 2019, 2021 for NYY and 2022, 2023 for Cin).
• In 2022, in his second season with the Reds went 1-3, 4.30 in a career-high 10 starts and 3-1, 4.91 in 36 relief apps.
• In August 2022 joined and remained in the rotation after the Reds lost to trade or injury starting pitchers RHP Luis Castillo (to the Mariners), RHP Tyler Mahle (to the Twins), RHP Robert Dugger (right shoulder pain), RHP Hunter Greene (right shoulder strain), RHP Graham Ashcraft (right biceps soreness), RHP T.J. Zeuch (back soreness), RHP Justin Dunn (right shoulder tightness) and LHP Mike Minor (left shoulder soreness).
• Beginning 8/22 at Phi made his last 9 apps of the 2022 season as a starter (1-3, 3.77, .226baa).
• Between games of the day/night doubleheader vs Pit on 7/7/22 went on the 15-day injured list with a left intercostalis muscle strain…missed 20 games (13-7) until he was reinstated on 8/2, after RHP Tyler Mahle was traded to the Twins.
• After he came off the 15-day IL on 8/2, posted a 3.26 ERA (.211baa) in his last 15 apps and 9 starts of the season.
• During 2023 spring training made 1 appearance for Mexico in the 2023 World Baseball Classic.
• Pitched the sixth and seventh innings of Mexico’s 10-inning, 5-4 loss vs Colombia in Arizona Pool C (2ip, 2h, 1er, 0bb, 1k, 25 pitches).
• Returned to the Reds after Mexico’s 5-4 quarterfinal win vs Puerto Rico and finished the spring with appearance, started and received no decision in the 4-3 loss at Mil.
• Is the only player, manager or coach in Reds history to wear uniform #85.
