The Reds have been playing better since being swept by the Cubs and now stand at 8-7, tied with the Cardinals for 2nd place. But Jake Arrieta opens the series Thursday night for the Cubs, with Lester, Lackey and Hammel following. I am VERY interested to see whether the Cubs get the offense clicking again in these next 2 series' VS the Reds and Brewers, who both have pitching staffs that the Cubs should get fat on. Rizzo hit the ball real well today in St. Louis and hopefully he continues on a roll in Cincy. taking 3/4 would be fine. I do expect Jake to get things going in that direction with another W on Thursday.

_________________
Go Cubs!!!!

Cubs sweep these bums.

_________________

Reds are a different team at home v on the road.

_________________
O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

Anything less than 3 out of 4 will piss me right off.

Reds still have a decent lineup.

They do. Phillips is still a good hitter, Votto easily their best and Suarez, Cozart and Jay Bruce are all pretty solid. Hamilton can be a pest when he gets on base, so it's particularly important that Lester keep him from reaching. Finnegan is off to a good start, but will draw Arrieta in the first game, so hopefully the Cubs get another great performance from Arrieta and can get a couple runs at least and get past their best starter and off to a positive start in the series.

_________________
Go Cubs!!!!

The Reds fucking suck and their front office is probably in panic mode over them winning this many games this early in the year. They have the worst rotation I have ever seen, I mean really who the hell is talking up Brandon Finnegan? The guy walks like 6 batters a start and he's the Reds ace? Finnegan is AT BEST a #4 starter. The rest of the Reds rotation and bullpen dont belong on major league rosters.

It's miracle they've won this many games but I guess that's NL baseball for you. When everyone is tanking someone has to win; when two teams who are desperately trying to lose 100 games this year face off its not like both can come away with losses.

Yea, everything about the Reds blow. They've over achieved in the early part of this season. Losing to them is unacceptable.

_________________
Kenny Williams fell for the banana in the tailpipe

Everything? So you think Joey Votto blows? That's just stupid. The guy is really good. as a whole, the team is not real good and their pitching is probably their biggest weakness. But their lineup is not awful. But I will be very disappointed if the Cubs do not take 3 of 4 at least, in this series. They need to continue beating teams they are supposed to beat, as they did very well in the 2nd half last season.

_________________
Go Cubs!!!!

_________________
Power is always in the hands of the masses of men. What oppresses the masses is their own ignorance, their own short-sighted selfishness.
- Henry George

I am talking up Brandon Finnegan. I think he's pretty good actually. Better than a #4 actually. No, he does not walk 6 batters a game. He has not surrendered 6 walks in a game yet this year in fact. He did give up 5 walks in his start VS the Cubs. But the Cubs take more walks than any team in Baseball. he has a 2.04 ERA and a 1.02 whip. Rather good I would say. Too small a sample size? In 2015 with Kansas City he had a 2.96 ERA and a 3-0 record in 14 games, before being dealt to the Reds. The guy has a good sinker and in 17 2/3 innings pitched this year has given up just 8 hits. As usual, you do not know what you are talking about.

_________________
Go Cubs!!!!

Good stuff there Steve. Cubs win 3 of 4 from these bums.

Reds took a lot of money
could get Cubs at-187 had to take some of that

A fine start.

_________________
Power is always in the hands of the masses of men. What oppresses the masses is their own ignorance, their own short-sighted selfishness.
- Henry George

boom

boom again

Boom Shakalaka!

4 runs with Arietta should be a W.

_________________
Proud member of the white guy grievance committee

It aint the six minutes. Its what happens in those six minutes.

Only thing that could go wrong is the weather, but luckily, Arrieta controls the weather.

_________________

He turned me into a newt.

_________________
Proud member of the white guy grievance committee

It aint the six minutes. Its what happens in those six minutes.

you got better.

Yeah. A lot better than getting No-Hit for 6 2/3 like the last time they faced Finnegan. Against Arrieta, it should be enough already. just need to get through 5 innings before any more rain moves in.

_________________
Go Cubs!!!!

lol the fuck was that

_________________
Rick Hahn is the best GM in baseball.

Somebody get Ross some oxygen. STAT!

David Ross......speed merchant!

_________________
Go Cubs!!!!

Baseball from the Queen's City.

_________________
Power is always in the hands of the masses of men. What oppresses the masses is their own ignorance, their own short-sighted selfishness.
- Henry George

Ross is looking better early this year than last year. Batting, running the bases, throwing.....he has looked pretty good. Very fortunate, with Schwarber not available the rest of this season.

Reds still without a knock through 4 innings.

_________________
Go Cubs!!!!

Game is official now and Arrieta has still to surrender a base hit!

_________________
Go Cubs!!!!

Hell never be around to finish this. 75 pitches through 5. Even if he keeps the no no he won't be allowed to throw 120 plus pitches. Or at least he shouldn't be.

_________________
Proud member of the white guy grievance committee

It aint the six minutes. Its what happens in those six minutes.