Pregame Notes: Cubs look to end five-game skid at Reds

The Cubs (38-51)  will be looking to somehow sneak a win away from Cincinnati after dropping the first three, giving the Reds the series win already with two to play. Dallas Beeler (0-1, 0.00) will look to build off his impressive debut and slow down the Reds (48-42) offense.

The Cubs will have to contend with Alfredo Simon (11-3, 2.78), who trails only Masahiro Tanaka in wins (12). Prior to this year the Cubs had good success hitting Simon to the tune of a .357 average in 31 at-bats over five years. In 2014 however, Simon is 2-0 with a 1.42 ERA against the Cubs.

Arismendy Alcantara will be making his Major League debut for the Cubs, something that has become commonplace with the Cubs this year. Three pitchers made their debut in a 12 game span, and now Alcantara will fill in for Darwin Barney who is on paternity leave.

The game is scheduled for a 6:10 pm CT first pitch at the Great American Ballpark. WGN TV will have the telecast, and WGN 720 will of course have the radio broadcast.

Here are the lineups for tonight’s match-up: