Pregame Notes: Travis Wood, Cubs battle Cincinnati Reds

The Chicago Cubs will open a road trip Tuesday night against the Cincinnati Reds, who are quickly fading from the postseason picture with just over a month left in the season.

Chicago (58-72) turns to left-hander Travis Wood (7-11, 4.91 ERA) in tonight’s opener. The 2013 National League All-Star has seen his earned run average skyrocket and control issues surface this season and in his last 12 starts, he is winless, going 0-6 with an ERA of 5.45. His last start was a six-inning effort in which he allowed four earned runs against San Francisco at home, walking one.

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He will be opposed by right-hander Johnny Cueto (15-7, 2.20 ERA), who will look to give Cincinnati (63-68) a push back toward the .500 mark. The hard-throwing righty finally saw a dominant string of starts come to an end his last time up, allowing four earned runs against the Cardinals.

Tonight’s game is slated for a 6:10 p.m. CT start from the Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati. CSN Chicago carries the television broadcast in the Chicagoland area and WGN-AM 720 has the radio call.

Here are tonight’s starting lineups: