Another appetizing matchup is headed your way tonight, when the Chicago Cubs and Cincinnati Reds lock horns for the second meeting of a three-game set. The Cubs won the first meeting, 11-8, and are hoping to achieve the same result once again. Can they do so with Jon Lester on the mound? Read on below for an in-depth breakdown of this showdown.
In case you don’t know, Jake Arrieta isn’t the only ace in the Chicago Cubs. There’s also this man named Jon Lester (9-3, 2.10), who’s been killing it this season.
Lester enters tonight’s match with the Cincinnati Reds having given up just three runs or fewer in his past six starts. And more importantly, that stretch includes a shutout performance against the Phillies earlier this month. Another brilliant performance from the 32-year-old lefty, who is currently 5-1 with a 1.85 ERA across seven road starts, could be in the making.
Still, Lester’s going to need some support on offense in order to guarantee a win for the majors-leading Cubs. Hence, look to none other than the red-hot Kris Bryant to try to build on his historic performance in last night’s opener.
Bryant, who leads the team in homers (21), runs batted in (57) and hits (79), had a night for the ages, going 5-of-5 with three home runs and two doubles while also driving in six runs.
The Cubs, who are the top favorites (+300) to win the World Series championship this season, are 5-5 SU in their previous 10 road games.
Betting on the Cincinnati Reds (29-48)
Meanwhile, the Cincinnati Reds are set to counter with John Lamb (1-4, 4.78 ERA). Lamb’s 2016 campaign is nothing compared to the Cubs’ Lester. However, the Reds should still look forward to the California native’s overall performance later.
Lamb is coming off a pair of valiant efforts versus the Astros and Padres. He yielded just five runs (four earned) and delivered 11 strikeouts combined during those two games. The 25-year-old lefty is also 0-2 with a 3.58 ERA throughout six starts at home this season.
On offense, expect the pairing of Adam Duvall and Joey Votto to deliver the goods at the plate. Both were solid in yesterday’s loss, going 4-of-9 with five RBIs combined.
Votto, in particular, added two homers under his belt in the opener. He is, however, batting just .212 at home this year, and is 4-of-15 lifetime versus Lester.
