Cubs vs. Reds: Series Thread (Games 139-141)
The Cubs have taken six in a row from sub-.500 teams and now turn their attention to the Cincinnati Reds. This will be the final matchup of 2021 between the Cubs and the second place Reds. The Cincinnati crew enters the series only half a game out of a wild card spot and eleven games back in the NL Central. See below for the daily matchups.
Game 139, Monday, September 6, 1:20 pm central
CHC: LHP Justin Steele (3-2, 3.48 ERA)
CIN: RHP Sonny Gray (7-6, 3.89 ERA)
Steele made his best start so far and earned his first win as a starter by going five innings, allowing one hit, and working around three walks to the Twins. He probably won’t have the advantage of Adbert Alzolay as his piggy-back partner this time around.
Gray has recorded victories in his last three starts and his most recent loss was back in July. He’s faced the Cubs once so far this year, striking out eight over five innings while holding them to one earned run.
Game 140, Tuesday, September 7, 6:40 pm central
CHC: RHP Adrian Sampson (0-1, 1.59 ERA)
CIN: LHP Wade Miley (11-5, 2.97 ERA)
Sampson pitched 3.1 innings and struck out 4 against Pittsburgh on September 2. He’s been a solid contributor since the Cubs added him a few weeks ago and gets his second chance to start since August 18.
The Cardinals handed Miley a loss in his last start. They took him deep three times to score five earned runs in four innings pitched. He surrendered a season-high 12 hits before exiting.
Game 141, Wednesday, September 8, 6:40 pm central
CHC: RHP Alec Mills (6-6, 4.25 ERA)
CIN: RHP Vladimir Gutierrez (9-6, 4.17 ERA)
Mills accomplished a slightly odd feat in his last start: he allowed three homeruns but only two earned runs. Three unearned runs crossed the plate in that one and yet he escaped without a loss thanks to Michael Hermosillo’s 3-4 day and a late homerun by Frank Schwindel.
Gutierrez has struggled in two starts in a row, both times failing to get out of the fourth inning. He’s been squared up for eleven hits and three homeruns in those 6.1 innings pitched, leading to losses at the hands of the Detroit Tigers and Miami Marlins.
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