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Bronson Arroyo vs.
Rich Hill
Lineups:
N. Hopper CF |
A. Soriano LF |
J. Keppinger SS |
R. Theriot SS |
K. Griffey RF |
D. Lee 1B |
B. Phillips 2B |
A. Ramirez 3B |
A. Dunn LF |
C. Floyd RF |
E. Encarnacion 3B |
M. DeRosa 2B |
J. Cantu 1B |
J. Jones CF |
D. Ross C |
J. Kendall C |
B. Arroyo P |
R. Hill P |
The Reds lead the season series, 7-5, and have taken three of the four series between the teams, including both sets at Wrigley. Interestingly, the Cubs have outscored Cincinnati by a whopping 63-45 in the 12 games.
Arroyo is 0-2 this season against the Cubs with one well-pitched no-decision (4 hits, 2 earned runs in 7 2/3 IP); Hill has a win and an ND against the Reds this year. The victory was a 7-0 whitewash back in April, against Arroyo.
All in all, the skies may be getting sunnier for the Red Legs. The team has been playing well (37-30) since Pete Mackanin became manager, and since the last time the Cubs and Reds met, Cincy summoned first baseman
Joey Votto to the big club. In Votto (.438 AVG and 1.264 OPS in 32 AB),
Edwin Encarnacion,
Norris Hopper,
Jeff Keppinger,
Brandon Phillips and minor league stud
Jay Bruce, Cincinnati has an enviable combination of talent and youth: the six players listed have an average age a shade under 25.
But that's future talk. As for now, the Cubs need to beat the Reds. If the Cubs can win two of three, the Reds will be officially eliminated from the NL Central race.
Take that,
Joe Morgan!
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