CHICAGO CUBS NOTES:
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 at-bats, 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.
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.
2023 Overall……………………………….0-1
At Wrigley Field…………………………0-0
At Great American Ball Park…….0-1
2022 Overall……………………………. 11-8
At Wrigley Field…………………………6-3
At Great American Ball Park…….5-5
Starting Pitcher – #19 RHP Hayden Wesneski (0-0, 0.00)
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 – –
2023 Spring Training Notes
During 2023 Cactus League play, Hayden went 3-1 with a 2.12 ERA (4 ER/17.0 IP) with 22 strikeouts in five starts … did not allow a run in his first 11.2 IP of the spring before surrendering his first runs of the spring in his fourth start.
© Struck out 22 batters during Spring Training, tied for the 11th-most in the Cactus League.
2022 Splits and Season Notes
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.
CINCINNATI REDS NOTES:
REDS HOTS
• The Reds today selected from Louisville the contract of RHP Kevin Herget (#57), optioned to Louisville RHP Joel Kuhnel and designated for assignment LHP Bennett Sousa…on 2/22, Sousa was claimed off waivers from the White Sox.
• Prior to today’s game the Reds will honor legendary WLWT-TV 5 sports director George Vogel, who last week retired after 42 years covering local high school, college and professional sports.
• With a 3-1 record through Monday, the Reds were 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).
TODAY’S GAME
• Is Game 3 of 3-game series vs David Ross’ Cubs and Game 6 of a 6-game homestand that included a season-opening 2-1 series win vs Pit.
• Following today’s game the Reds will travel to Phi (3g) and to Atl (3g) for their first road trip, including the Phillies’ home opener tomorrow.
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) has returned to Cincinnati following 3 rehabilitation apps with Louisville (3-13, .231, solo HR, 1bb, 7k)…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)…is rehabbing with Louisville…in last night’s 7-2 win vs Louisville he started in CF and went 1-for-4 (1 2b, 1bb)…he is scheduled to play 9 innings at DH today.
• RHP Tony Santillan (low back Pars stress fracture)…is rehabbing with Louisville…he pitched the sixth inning of last night’s 7-2 win vs Indianapolis (1ip, 1bb, 2k, 4bf, 22 pitches).
• 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.
2022: A SEASON OF RECORDS
• 66 players appeared in at least 1 game for Reds, a new club record for number of players in a season…the previous franchise record was held by the 2003 Reds (57 players).
• 38 players pitched in at least 1 game for the Reds, a new club record for number of pitchers in a season and including position players Matt Reynolds (2g), Max Schrock (1g) and Alejo Lopez (3g).
• 17 pitchers started at least 1 game for the Reds, tying the 2003 club record for number of starters in a season.
• Reds pitchers hit 110 batters, a new Major League single-season record (2021 Cubs pitchers, 98hbp)…the previous club record for batters hit by Reds pitchers in a season was 80 in 2005.
• 10 Reds pitchers recorded at least 1 save (Ross Detwiler, Alexis Díaz, Buck Farmer, Ian Gibaut, Joel Kuhnel, Dauri Moreta, Tony Santillan, Lucas Sims, Hunter Strickland, Art Warren), tying the 2021 single-season franchise record.
2022 YOUNG GUNS
• In 62 combined starts, Reds rookie starting pitchers RHP Hunter Greene, LHP Nick Lodolo and RHP Graham Ashcraft went 14-26, 4.34 (334ip, 161er)…all 3 made their Major League debuts in 2022.
• 6 times in 2022 the Reds started rookie pitchers in 3 straight games (last, 7/31-8/2, Lodolo, Greene, Ashcraft).
• In LHP Reiver Sanmartin (Game 2), Greene (Game 4) and Lodolo (Game 6), in 2022 the Reds used as many as 3 rookie starting pitchers in the first 6 games of a season for only the second time in their history…the 1902 Reds staff used 3 rookie starting pitchers in their first 5 games, and 4 of their first 6 games that season were started by rookie pitchers (Bob Ewing 2 starts, Len Swormstedt, Martin Glendon).
This Afternoon’s Pitcher – #21 Hunter Greene, RHP
• In just his second season, this afternoon is making his 26th Major League appearance and start.
• At age 23 years, 236 days became the first pitcher age 25 or under to start for the Reds on Opening Day since 1980, when at age 22 years, 232 days RHP Frank Pastore beat Phil Niekro and the Braves, 9-0… courtesy @EliasSports.
• Became the first second-year pitcher to start for the Reds on Opening Day since 26-year-old RHP Raisel Iglesias started the 6-2 win vs the Phillies in the 2016 season opener…courtesy @EliasSports.
• In 2022, in his age 22 season ranked among National League rookie pitching leaders in starts (1st, 24), innings pitched (2nd, 125.2), strikeouts (2nd, 164), opponents’ BA (2nd, .222), WHIP (2nd, 1.21) and ERA (6th, 4.44).
• Led the Reds’ staff in starts, innings pitched and strikeouts.
• Was 1 of only 7 pitchers in the National League and 16 pitchers in the Major Leagues to throw a shutout.
• Was the National League Player of the Week for 6/6-6/12, the only Reds player so honored in 2022 (2gs, 1-0, 0.75, 12ip, 3h, 1er, 2bb, 15k, .079baa).
• Was 1 of only 6 Major League rookies in 2022 to win his league’s Player of the Week award (Chc’s Seiya Suzuki, LAA’s Reid Detmers, Sea’s Julio Rodríguez, KC’s Vinnie Pasquantino, Cle’s Steven Kwan).
• In 2022 became the only Major League rookie since 1900 to produce in a season at least 3 apps in which he threw at least 6.0 innings with at least 8 strikeouts and no more than 1 hit (5/15 at Pit, 6/6 vs Ari, 8/1 at Mia)…no pitcher in modern history, regardless of rookie status, has produced more than 3 such games…in his final start of the season, in Game 160 vs Cubs, recorded 6.0 innings and 8 strikeouts but allowed 2 hits.
• Allowed 2 runs or fewer in all 9 of his starts in which he pitched at least 6.0 innings, 8 times allowed no more than 1 run and 4 times in those 9 apps allowed 0 runs.
• In his last 8 starts of the season posted a 1.75 ERA (46.1ip, 30h, 66k).
• In his last 6 starts of the season posted a 1.02 ERA, the third-lowest ERA ever by a Reds rookie over any single-season, 6-start span behind Gary Nolan (0.75, June-July 1967) and Elmer Riddle (0.88, August 1941).
• From 8/5-9/16 missed 43 days and 40 games while on the 15-day injured list with a right shoulder strain…went 4-12, 5.26 in 20 starts prior to the injury and 1-1, 0.78 in 4 starts after he came off the 15-day IL.
• Following his 2022 rookie season was the Reds’ nominee for MLB’s prestigious Lou Gehrig Memorial Award for exemplary contributions to his community.
• Was selected by the Reds in the first round (2nd overall pick) of the June 2017 first-year player draft…was rated by MLB.com the best overall prospect and by Baseball America the best high school player in that draft…the Twins selected high school SS Royce Lewis with the No. 1 overall pick.
• Heading into the 2017 draft, became the 13th high school athlete ever to appear on the cover of Sports Illustrated.
• Missed the 2019 season while recovering from 4/9/19 “Tommy John” surgery
