Chicago Cubs, John Lackey look to continue dominance over the Reds

The Chicago Cubs look to pour it on some more as John Lackey takes the hill against the Cincinnati Reds.

The Chicago Cubs offense seems to be enjoying playing the Cincinnati Reds, and John Lackey has been the benefactor of the offense on several occasions. The Cubs (13-4) will battle the Reds (8-9) as they’ll send former Cubs Dan Straily to the mound as he makes his second start.

Lackey (3-0, 3.66) had a rough debut against the Diamondbacks but has bounced back with two strong starts and has had the firepower of the Cubs offense behind him. In his three starts, they’ve scored 28 runs for an MLB-best 10.98 runs per game for a starter. He didn’t need quite that much against the Cardinals in his last start as he went seven solid innings while allowing just four hits and striking out 11 in the 5-0 win.

With the injury-plagued rotation, Straily (0-0, 2.70) will get his second start as he comes off strong first start when he allowed just one run in five innings in a game the Reds lost 5-1 to the Rockies. Reds manager Bryan Price will need a quality start from Straily as the bullpen has been thrust into action early and often against the Cubs. The Cubs have outscored them 24-1 so far in this series and 46-7 in the first five meetings this year.

After picking up his first home run of the year–as well as a clumsy slide into home–Javier Baez will once again get the start at third while Kris Bryant gets the start in left field. First baseman Anthony Rizzo will look to homer in his fourth consecutive game.

The Reds Joey Votto managed a hit yesterday, but it was just his first in his last 20 at-bats. That was good enough to double their hit total they had against Jake Arrieta on Thursday, and Zack Cozart kept them from a second-straight shutout with a solo home run.

Here are the lineups for tonight’s game:

First pitch is slated for 6:10 p.m. CT at Great American Ballpark. CSN will have the television coverage while 670 The Score will have the radio broadcast. Be sure to come back after the game for postgame coverage here on Cubbies Crib!