Monday, September 15, 2014

Wrigley Field in Chicago

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Monday night, the Cincinnati Reds will send Alfredo Simon (14 -10, 3.48 ERA) to the hill to take on the Chicago Cubs and Travis Wood (8 -12, 4.03 ERA).  Both pitchers will make their 30th starts of the season.

Alfredo Simon picked up the victory after a solid trip to the hill his last time out.  In 7 innings of work, Simon allowed 2 runs on 5 hits while walking 3 and striking out 5.  Despite the good start, Simon has struggled on the hill in recent weeks. He is just 2 – 6 I his last 10 outings. Last season, Simon went 6-4-1 with a 2.87 ERA in 63 relief appearances.

In 2013, Simon was 1 – 0 with a 3.18 ERA in 7 appearances against Chicago.  This year, he is 3 -0 in 4 starts against the Cubs.

Travis Wood took the loss in his last start after a truly horrible outing.  Wood lasted just 1.2 innings after giving up 7 runs and 9 hits (including 3 homers) while walking a batter and striking out 1. The 3 home runs were a season-high for Wood.  The last few weeks have been a trial for Wood as he is just 1 - 4 in his last 10 starts.  Last season, Wood made 32 starts en route to a 9 – 12 record with a 3.11 ERA. 

In 2013, Wood went 1 – 3 with a 2.91 ERA in 5 starts against the Reds.  This season, he is 1 -1 in 2 encounters against Cincinnati.          

Cincinnati Reds Betting Trends

Cincinnati Reds are 65-76-6 against the Over/Under

Run Differential for Cincinnati Reds is 0

Chicago Cubs Betting Trends

Chicago Cubs are 72-67-7 against the Over/Under

Run differential for Chicago Cubs is -0.6

Injuries to Watch

Cincinnati Reds

09/11/14 C Brayan Pena Illness questionable
09/10/14 P Dylan Axelrod Oblique out indefinitely
08/18/14 P Homer Bailey Elbow 15-day DL (8/8), out for season
08/17/14 1B Joey Votto Quad 60-day DL (7/1)
08/07/14 P Logan Ondrusek Shoulder 15-day DL (7/13)
06/21/14 P Trevor Bell Elbow 60-day DL (4/08)
06/14/14 P Sean Marshall Shoulder 60-day DL (6/13)

Chicago Cubs

09/10/14 P Tsuyoshi Wada Calf expected to start Friday vs Pittsburgh Pirates
09/03/14 SS Starlin Castro Ankle out for season
09/01/14 1B Anthony Rizzo Back out indefinitely
08/30/14 CF Justin Ruggiano Ankle 60-day DL (8/23), out for season
08/28/14 RF Ryan Sweeney Hamstring 60-day DL (8/26)
08/21/14 P Edwin Jackson Shoulder 15-day DL (8/21)
08/10/14 P Brian Schlitter Shoulder 15-day DL (8/9)
03/31/14 P James McDonald Shoulder 60-day DL (2/23)

Josh's Pick: Take Chicago

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