Pregame Notes: Chicago Cubs, Cincinnati Reds set for finale

Just in case you missed it, yesterday’s afternoon showdown between the Chicago Cubs and Cincinnati Reds was postponed due to rain after multiple delays as Jake Arrieta was set to take the mound opposite Anthony DeSclafani.

Both teams received an extra day of rest after Friday evenings extra-innings battle which featured clutch at-bats from both infielder Jonathan Herrera and 38-year-old catcher David Ross. Ross had an opportunity to make something happen against Aroldis Chapman in the top half of the ninth with Anthony Rizzo in scoring position but popped out to third baseman Todd Frazier to end the inning.

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Herrera and Ross would come through at the top of the 11th by driving three runs in both at-bats as the Cubs would go on to win 7-3. Now with the Cubs falling another game behind the St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago’s ace will look to not only take the series from the Reds, but help his club gain ground in the N.L. Central.

Arrieta (2-1, 1.74 ERA) is off to another great start, proving that the Cubs were winners in the trade that was made with the Baltimore Orioles back in 2013. Today’s match-up between these two rivals will be a rematch for both pitchers, who faced off on Apr. 14 as DeSclafani (2-0, 0.86 ERA) got the best of Arrieta and the Cubs.

In that outing, Arrieta surrendered three earned runs on seven hits with one walk and five strikeouts in 6 1/3 innings of work. So far, he’s only given up four earned runs on 14 hits in three outings.

Cincinnati’s young hurler dominated Cubs hitters that day as he worked eight scoreless innings, holding them to just two hits on the day. Former Cubs’ reliever Kevin Gregg would enter the game during the bottom of the eighth inning, giving up a two-run shot by pinch-hitter Welington Castillo to make it a 3-2 game.

Chicago would unable to answer for a second time in the bottom of the ninth after Starlin Castro and Matt Szczur were able to get on base. Instead, Ross and Mike Olt struck out with Chapman on the mound, who picked up the save.

Now here’s a look at today’s lineup for both teams:

First pitch is scheduled for 12:10 pm central time (hopefully no rain) and will be aired live on both WGN and WBBM 780.