CINCINNATI REDS NOTES:
TRANSACTIONS
- Today, the Reds sent on a rehabilitation assignment to the Arizona Complex League Reds RHP Hunter Greene (right hip pain) and transferred from the ACL Reds to Louisville the rehab assignment for RHP Casey Legumina (right shoulder pain)…Greene last pitched for the Reds on 6/17 at Hou, Legumina on 6/20 vs Col.
- Last night, the Reds acquired from the Athletics LHP Sam Moll (#50) and international cap space for minor league RHP Joe Boyle…the necessary corresponding 26-player roster move will be made when Moll reports… he is scheduled to report in time for tonight’s game.
TONIGHT’S GAME
- Is Game 2 (1-0) in a series of 4 night games vs Hunter Hippel’s Cubs and Game 8 (4-3) of an 11-day, 10-game road trip (1-2 at Mil, 2-1 at LAD, 1-0 at Chc).
- Beginning 9/15/14, the Cubs have won 30 of the last 44 night games vs the Reds at The Friendly Confines.
- Following this series the Reds return to Great American Ball Park for a 6-game homestand vs the Nationals (3g) and Marlins (3g).
SERIES NOTES
- The Reds’ 3-game sweep from 5/26-5/28 was their first series sweep of the Cubs since 7/2-7/4, 2021 (3g at Great American Ball Park) and their first series sweep at Wrigley Field since 8/12-8/14, 2013 (3g).
- Joey Votto leads all active players with 147 RBI vs Cubs and ranks second among all active players with 48 HR, trailing only Albert Pujols (57hr).
- Votto’s 48 HR are the second-most by a Reds batter vs the Cubs (Frank Robinson, 53)…his 227 games vs Cubs are second-most by a Reds player (Pete Rose, 243).
NATIONALS UP NEXT
- Dating back to a 6-3 Reds win on 6/4/16, the Nationals have won 14 of the last 20 games at Great American Ball Park, but the Reds won 8 of the last 11 games there.
- From 7/3-7/6 the Reds produced their first 4-game sweep of the Nationals since 7/3-7/6, 2008 and their first ever 4-game sweep at Nationals Park.
BIG ROAD MACHINE
- Beginning 5/26, the Reds went 24-8 over their last 5 road trips covering 11 road series.
- The Reds won 8 of their previous 10 road series, including a streak of 7 straight road series wins snapped by the Brewers in the last series before the All-Star Game break…also lost at Mil in the first road series of the second half…haven’t lost a road series to a team other than the Brewers since 5/15-5/17 at Col (1-2).
- From 5/26-7/6, the Reds won at least 7 straight road series for only the third time in their history (3-0 at Cubs, 2-1 at Bos, 2-1 at StL, 3-0 at KC, 3-0 at Hou, 2-1 at Bal, 4-0 at Wsh)…won 8 straight road series in 1923 (7/2-8/25) and 1976 (6/25-8/12)…courtesy @EliasSports.
- Went 8-1 on their road trip to StL (2-1), KC (3-0) and Hou (3-0)…for only the second time ever, won 8 games on a road trip of 9 games or fewer (8-0, 9/21-9/27, 1964)…was their first road trip of any length with at least 8 wins since 5/28-6/9, 1999 (9-3)…courtesy @EliasSports.
RUNNING MEN
- The Reds lead the Major Leagues with 122 stolen bases, their highest total since 2016 (139sb)…in 2022 the Reds recorded 58 stolen bases…are trying to lead the National League in steals for the first time since 2015 (134sb).
- The Reds recorded 50 stolen bases in June, their highest steals total in a calendar month since September 1912 (53sb).
- 5 times this season recorded at least 5 stolen bases in a game (6sb on 6/2 vs Mil, 9sb on 6/3 vs Mil, 5sb on 6/25 at Bal, 6sb on Tue at Wsh, 5sb on 7/8 at Mil)…prior to 6/2, the Reds hadn’t recorded 5 stolen bases in a game since 4/10/17 at Pit.
- Their 9 stolen bases on 6/3 vs Mil (Jake Fraley 3, Spencer Steer 2, Jonathan India 2, Will Benson, Stuart Fairchild) was their highest single-game total since 5/30/1976 vs LAD (9sb)…the Reds’ single-game record since 1900 for stolen bases in a game remains 10 (5/29/1913 at StL).
- With Elvis Peguero pitching, Elly De La Cruz on 7/8 at Mil became only the fourth Reds batter ever to steal second, third and home in the same inning (Hans Lobert 9/27/1908, Dode Paskert 5/23/1910, Greasy Neale 8/15/1919)…became the first Major League batter to steal second, third and home in the same inning since Mia’s Jon Berti did it on 8/25/2020 at NYM…became the first Reds batter with a straight steal of home since Brandon Phillips did it on 7/10/2009 at NYM.
RED HOTS
- The Reds are the first team in Major League history to move into first place alone in 9 games or fewer after falling 5 or
more games under .500 while facing a deficit of at least 5 games…on 6/9 were 29-35 and trailed the first-place Pirates
by 5.0 games…beginning 6/10 won 9 straight games to move into first place alone on 6/19. - The Reds’ 12-game winning streak from 6/10-6/23 tied their modern club record (5/16-5/27, 1939 & 4/30-5/12, 1957).
- The Reds have used 52 players…RHP Michael Mariot was on the roster for 1 day (7/8) but did not appear in a game.
- 12 Reds players have made Major League debuts this season, the most in the Major Leagues (RHP Casey Legumina,
RHP Levi Stoudt, IF Matt McLain, LHP Brandon Williamson, RHP Eduardo Salazar, OF TJ Hopkins, LHP Andrew
Abbott, IF Elly De La Cruz, RHP Ricky Karcher, RHP Randy Wynne, RHP Jake Wong, IF Christian EncarnacionStrand)…16 rookies played in at least 1 game for the Reds.
Tonight’s Pitcher – #59 Ben Lively, RHP
- Tonight is making his second career appearance and start vs the Cubs, his first since 2017.
- In his last 6 starts beginning 6/14 went 1-2, 3.23 (30.2ip, 32h, 11er, 8bb, 25k, 5hr, .262baa).
- Is 0-2, 3.00 (21ip, 7er, .235baa) in 4 starts since a stint on the 15-day injured list with a right pectoral muscle strain (6/24-7/8).
- Posted a 1.69 ERA in his 2 relief apps (5.1ip, 1er, .238baa) and a 3.94 ERA in his 11 starts (61.2ip, 27er, .246baa).
- Was charged with 1 pitch timer violation (6/4 vs Mil, Owen Miller batting).
- Joined the Reds from Louisville on 5/9, when RHP Luis Cessa was designated for assignment…in 5 apps for the Bats went 4-0, 2.33 (4gs, 27ip, 19h, 10bb, 16k).
- Made his Reds debut in the second inning of the 5-0 win on 5/11 vs NYM…relieved spot starter Derek Law and threw 3.0 scoreless innings, still tied for the longest appearance by a Reds reliever this season…was his first Major League appearance since 4/28/19 for KC vs LAA, his only appearance of that season, and his first win since his last appearance of the 2017 campaign (9/27/19 for Phi vs NYM)
CHICAGO CUBS NOTES:
Cubs vs. Reds
The Cubs and Reds play 13 games spanning four series … the teams played a weather-shortened two-game set in Cincinnati, April 3-4, splitting the series, before the Reds swept a three-game set at Wrigley Field May 26-28 … following this series, the clubs meet four times in three days Sept. 1-3 in Cincinnati for the final time this season … Chicago last season went 11-8 vs. the Reds, its first season series victory over Cincinnati since going 11-8 in 2018.
THE DOG DAYS OF SUMMER: The Chicago Cubs today play game two of a four-game set with the Cincinnati Reds after dropping last night’s series-opener, 6-5 … Chicago fell into a 6-1 deficit in the third inning, but rallied for three runs in the bottom of the inning, then scored one in the eighth, before ultimately falling short … Dansby Swanson homered for the fourth time in his last 11 games, while Yan Gomes registered his fifth three-plus hit game of the season … the Cubs bullpen tossed 6.0 scoreless innings, led by Javier Assad (3.2 IP), with contributions from Daniel Palencia (1.1 IP) and Mark Leiter Jr. (1.0 IP).
The Cubs are 10-3 in their last 13 games since July 18 … following play on July 20, the Cubs sat 7.0-games out of a wild-card spot and 8.5-games back of the division lead … the club enters today 3.5-games out of a wild card spot and 5.0-games back of division-leading Cincinnati.
The Cubs are 0-1 on this seven-game homestand against the Cincinnai Reds (0-1) and the Atlanta Braves (3 games beginning Friday).
Dating to June 9, the Cubs have scored 255 runs, second-most in the majors (Atlanta, 261), and their .265 batting average (401-for-1,514) ranks seventh in the majors.
Today marks the eighth (5-2) of 16-straight gamedays through August 9.
The Cubs (+56) and Cincinnati (+4) are the only N.L. Central Division clubs with positive run differentials (Pittsburgh, -71; St. Louis, -27; Milwaukee, -16).
RISING TIDES: The Cubs, at 53-53, are 27-17 since June 9 when the team was a season-low 10-games below .500 at 26-36 following a loss at the Angels June 8.
Starting June 9, the Cubs’ 27-17 record (.628 winning percentage) is tied for the third-best in the majors, surpassed only by Atlanta (29-13/.690) and today’s opponent, Cincinnati (30-15/.667).
Ed Hartig notes this is just the third season in franchise history in which the team has found itself at least 10-games under .500 only to once again reach the .500 mark (also 1968 and 1996).
A NEW FACE AND AN OLD FACE: The Cubs yesterday made two trades, acquiring infielder Jeimer Candelario and a cash consideration from Washington for left-handed pitcher DJ Herz and infielder Kevin Made, and right-handed pitcher José Cuas from Kansas City for outfielder Nelson Velázquez.
Candelario, who was signed by the Cubs as a non-drafted free agent in Sept. 2010, spent parts of seven seasons with the organization (2011-17), including 16 games with the major league club in 2016 and 2017.
Ed Hartig notes that Candelario becomes the first Cub since Jon Lieber (1999- 02 and 2008) to re-join the team after a gap of at least five seasons.
BELLI BOMBS AWAY: Cody Bellinger finished the month of July hitting .400 (40-for100) with five doubles, eight home runs and 24 RBI in 26 games … per Elias, Bellinger became the seventh Cub (ninth instance) to hit at least .400, with eight-or-more home runs in a calendar month (last Rick Wilkins, June 1993) … please find a member of the Cubs Media Relations staff if you’d like the full list!
In the month of July led major league hitters in hits, average and total bases (69), ranked third in RBI (24), fifth in slugging (.698), tied for fifth in homers and sixth in OPS (1.122).
In 37 games since being reinstated from the injured list on June 15 (left knee contusion), Bellinger is hitting .357 (50-for-140) with seven doubles, eight homers, 26 RBI, 27 runs scored, a .394 OBP and a .579 slugging percentage.
STEELE-ING THE SHOW: Justin Steele tonight is scheduled to make his 26th start at Wrigley Field since the beginning of the 2022 season … during that span, he has posted a 2.52 ERA (37 ER/132.0 IP), the second-lowest home ERA among N.L. starting pitchers and the third-lowest in the majors (min. 25 GS).
In the 25 home starts since the beginning of the 2022 season, Steele has allowed three runs or fewer in 21 of those outings and completed at least 5.0 innings in 19.
GOLDEN DEFENSE: Per Fangraphs, entering play today, the Cubs have recorded 26 defensive runs saved in 2023, the fourth-best mark in the N.L. and tied for sixth-most in the major leagues … Chicago finished the 2022 season with four defensive runs saved, which ranked 21st in the majors.
Dansby Swanson’s 11 defensive runs saved are the second-most among major league shortstops, trailing Wander Franco (15), and are tied for the seventh-most among all major leaguers.
COMING UP CLUTCH: Javier Assad since June 27 has pitched to a 0.40 ERA (1 ER/22.1 IP) in nine games … during that span, Assad’s 0.40 ERA is the second-lowest among major league relievers (min. 15.0 IP), trailing Felix Bautista (0.00).
Assad last night made his third relief outing of at least 3.2 scoreless innings this season, becoming the second pitcher in the majors this season (also Sean Manaea) to have at least three such outings.
Starting Pitcher – #35 LHP Justin Steele (11-3, 2.46)
Last Time Out
Justin earned his 11th win of the season in his last outing July 27 at St. Louis (1 ER/6.0 IP) … it was his seventh start of the season in which he threw 6.0-plus innings while allowing one run or fewer … has allowed two runs or fewer in seven of his last eight starts dating to May 31 … walked more than one batter for the first time in 10-straight starts dating to May 10.
Date Opp. Result IP H R ER BB SO PC-S Left
7/27 @STL W, 10-3 6.0 5 1 1 3 4 92-60 7-1
2023 Splits and Season Notes
W-L ERA G GS IP H R ER BB SO
Home 7-2 2.23 11 11 60.2 56 21 15 14 53
Road 4-1 2.76 8 8 49.0 42 17 15 10 47
AVG vs. LHB: .222 (18-for-81) / AVG vs. RHB: .244 (81-for-332)
Justin is scheduled to make his 20th start of the 2023 season today, his 12th at Wrigley Field and second against Cincinnati … has posted a 2.40 ERA (39 ER/146.1
IP) since July 22, 2022, which is the second-lowest ERA in the majors during the run (min. 26 GS) … May 26 vs. the Reds, suffered the loss, allowing a season-high-tying marks in hits (10) and runs (6) … his 2.46 ERA in 2023 is the lowest in the majors among qualified starting pitchers, while his 1.12 WHIP is the seventh-lowest in the N.L. … opposing batters are hitting .200 (30-for-150) with 44 strikeouts off his slider.
July 21 vs. St. Louis, recorded his 10th win of the season, the first time in his career that he has reached double-digit wins.
Earned his first career All-Star nod and pitched a scoreless fifth inning, allowing one hit with one strikeout in the N.L.’s 3-2 victory.
Started the Cubs’ first game in London, June 24 vs. St. Louis, earning the win (1 ER/6.0 IP).
Posted a 53.0-inning stretch without allowing a home run from April 14-June 17, which was the longest active streak in the majors.
Left his start May 31 vs. Tampa Bay after 3.0 perfect innings with left forearm tightness … was placed on the injured list June 3 (retroactive to June 1) and was activated June 17.
Had a 17-start streak of allowing three earned runs or fewer at Wrigley Field from April 24, 2022-May 10, 2023 … pitched to a 2.20 ERA (23 ER/94.0 IP) during the run … his 2.20 home ERA during the stretch was the third-lowest in the N.L.
Went eight starts before suffering his first loss of the season May 16 in Houston … allowed a season-high five runs in the outing … at the time of his first loss, was the only pitcher in the N.L. with at least six wins and zero losses.
Allowed two or fewer earned runs in 14-straight starts from July 22, 2022-May 5, 2023, tied for the second-longest stretch in Cubs franchise history (since 1901), behind Jack Taylor’s streak of 15 games June 13-Aug. 14, 1902 (tied with Jake Arrieta, 14 G, 7/30/15-4/4/16).
Went 1-1 with a 2.63 ERA (4 ER/13.2 IP) with 13 strikeouts in four Cactus League starts in 2023 … started and tossed the first 2.0 innings of the Cubs combined no-hitter, March 3 at San Diego.
