Chicago Cubs look to complete sweep of the Cincinnati Reds

The Chicago Cubs finish their first series against the Cincinnati Reds in 2016 tonight, looking to complete the three-game sweep at Wrigley Field.

Starting off the 2016 season on the right foot was almost a necessity for Chicago Cubs’ (7-1) starting pitcher Jason Hammel (0-0, 1.50 ERA) after how his 2015 season ended. Before the All-Star Break last year, Hammel had a 2.86 ERA in 17 starts. After it, he had a 5.10 ERA in 14 starts, struggling to finish five innings through the postseason.

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While one start definitely is too small of a sample size, Hammel started 2016 strong, pitching six innings of four-hit, one run ball last Friday against the Arizona Diamondbacks. He wound up with a no-decision in the Cubs’ only loss this season, but the fact that he pitched as well as he did is a positive sign.

Facing off against Hammel tonight for the Cincinnati Reds (5-3) is 26-year-old right-hander Raisel Iglesias (1-0, 2.31 ERA). Last season, Iglesias was 3-7 with a 4.15 ERA in 18 games-16 of which were starts. The Cubs lineup has very little history against Iglesias, combining for just 39 at-bats as a team against him.

One Cubs player who has had success against Iglesias is infielder Tommy La Stella, who will start at third base tonight. La Stella homered off of the young Reds’ starting pitcher last September, his only home run of the 2015 season.

Besides La Stella though, every Cubs player in the starting lineup tonight has a career batting average under .200 against Iglesias. Here are tonight’s starting lineups for both ball clubs.

First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. CT and will be televised on CSN-Chicago, with 670 The Score broadcasting the game on the radio. As always, be sure to follow us on Twitter @CubbiesCrib and like us on Facebook!