Dan Haren begins September on the mound for the Cubs vs Reds

With August in the books, the Chicago Cubs prepare themselves for the final month of the regular season with them holding onto the second N.L. Wild Card slot by 5.5 games.

Last night’s contest was a bit of a disappointment late in the game after Chicago (74-56) grabbed the lead twice only to have the bullpen stumble late resulting in the Reds (54-76) battling back and winning by the final score of 13-6.

More from Chicago Cubs News

• Cubs should keep close eye on non-tender candidate Cody Bellinger
• Cubs starting pitching has been thriving on the North Side
• Make no mistake: the Cubs are very much about power hitters
• Cubs: It’s time to start thinking about potential September call-ups
• Cubs: P.J. Higgins deserves to be in the lineup on a daily basis

Taking the mound for Joe Maddon will be 34-year-old right-hander, Dan Haren. Haren (8-9, 3.90 ERA) is searching for his second win as a member of the Cubs after picking up two loss in his previous three starts.

In his last start on the road against the defending World Series champions, San Francisco recorded five earned runs on six hits including a home run in 6 1/3 frames. Haren issued three walks and struck out four batter’s in that contest and was no match for Madison Bumgarner who tied (at the time) Jake Arrieta with his 16th win of the season.

Chicago ended up losing that game by eight runs and later fell to Clayton Kershaw in Los Angeles the very next day. It was a rough road trip that was capped off on a no-no by Arrieta just two days ago.

They’ll be up against another tough right-hander who has had their number this season in Anthony DeSclafani. DeSclafani (7-10, 3.84 ERA) has been absolutely lights out in two starts against the Cubs, holding them to one earned run on eight hits with a 10/4 K/BB ratio across 13 1/3 innings of work.

Cincinnati’s 25-year-old was handed the loss on Aug. 27 while hosting the Dodgers despite holding Los Angeles to one earned run on six hits through six innings. His team failed to back him up as they only managed to muster out four hits in the 1-0 loss to Zack Greinke.

First pitch is slated for another 7:05 p.m. start and will be aired live on WGN, WBBM 780 A.M.

Here’s a look at tonight’s starting lineup’s for both club’s which includes the return of Javier Baez:

Next: Jackson is exactly what the Cubs need