Chicago Cubs look for third straight win as Hammel takes the mound vs. the Reds

The Chicago Cubs hope that the opening of the right-field bleachers will help them to a streak similar to what happened when left field did. The Cubs won six-straight at home after their debut, as Kris Bryant deposited the first home run of the season into the fans. Miguel Montero did the honor last night for right field, so it seems like we’re right on our way. 

The fans should be treated to a solid pitching matchup as the Cubs send Jason Hammel (5-2, 2.76) to face the Cincinnati Reds Johnny Cueto (4-4, 2.64). Cueto had been on restrictions after missing a start in May, but it looks like he’ll be back to full force with a longer leash tonight.

The Cubs (32-26) knew they wanted to bring Hammel back after he was traded last July. But no one could have expected him to repeat and exceed what he did last year in his time with the Cubs. Manager Joe Maddon thinks he’ll deserve a nod for the All-Star game, and it will be hard to dispute it if he can win his third-straight against the Reds (27-32) tonight.

He still won’t have to deal with Brandon Phillips who remains day-to-day, but speedster Billy Hamilton does return tonight in center field.

Cueto had dominated the Cubs previously, going 7-1 with a 1.80 ERA before dropping his last two. Chris Coghlan, who’s hitting .319 with two home runs and 9 RBIs in his last 15 games, had a stellar year against Cueto in 2014 going 4-for-8 with a homer and a double.

First pitch is scheduled for 3:05 pm CT at Wrigley Field. Here are the lineups for tonight’s game: