Chicago Cubs look to bounce back in series against Cincinnati Reds

Game One: 7:05 p.m. CT – TV: WCIU, Radio: WGN AM 720

Ace Jeff Samardzija (2-6, 2.60 ERA) will toe the rubber in the series opener for the Cubs, looking to build on a  strong start against the Marlins his last time out. June, as a whole, has not been kind to the right-hander, who is 1-2 with a 5.73 ERA this month.

Monday will mark Samardzija’s 16th start of the season and as the calendar approaches July, the length of time he will be in a Cubs uniform remains to be seen, although it seems likely he will be traded before the end of the month. The front office would, no doubt, love to see him revert to his early season form in the weeks to come.

He will be opposed by right-hander Alfredo Simon (10-3, 3.05 ERA) who has been lights-out for Bryan Price‘s club this season. In a start against the Cubs at the Great American Ballpark back on April 29, the righty tossed six innings, allowing two earned on five hits in a win.