Jon Lester (9-3, 2.10 ERA) gets the start for the Chicago Cubs (49-26) as they go up against John Lamb (1-4, 4.78 ERA) and the Cincinnati Reds (29-48) in the second of a three-game series at the Great American Ball Park. The Cubs won the last game 11-8, and Chicago leads the series 1-0. The game gets underway at 7:10 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Jun. 28 and will air on CSCh and FSOH.
In his last start, Lamb pitched 5.1 innings, allowing four runs (one unearned), striking out four and walking three in a 7-4 loss to the Padres. Adam Duvall (.255, 42 Rs, 21 HRs, 53 RBIs, 2 SBs) played well again yesterday, going 2 for 5 with one run and two RBIs. The Cubs were also unsuccessful the last time Lester pitched. He pitched well, going 7.0 innings, allowing two runs, striking out seven and walking three in a 4-2 loss to the Marlins. Anthony Rizzo (.287, 44 Rs, 18 HRs, 55 RBIs, 2 SBs) has been hitting the ball well for the Cubs, going 2 for 3 yesterday with one run, one home run, and one RBI.
Notes
When leading after seven innings, Chicago is 27-8, while Cincinnati is 14-26.
The Cubs are coming into this meeting after a high-scoring game where they scored an impressive 11 runs. The Reds have a 0-9 record when opponents score that many runs or more.
When they outhit their opponents, the Reds are 20-7. The Cubs have a 40-7 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 16th, Cincinnati is in the bottom half of the league in runs, scoring 332 this season. Chicago ranks in the top five at third with 396.
Ranking 25th, Cincinnati is near the bottom of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.704). Chicago ranks in the top five with an OPS of .784.
The Cubs are 22-20 in games where they allow one or more home runs. The Reds are 20-40 when they allow at least one homer.
