After a brief absence, the Redlegs are back on the pinkie.  This weekend the Reds take on the baby bears from Chicago in a crucial three game series at Great American Ball Park.  The Reds and Cubs are battling it out for 3rd place in the NL Central as the Reds trail the division leading Milwaukee Brewers by 2.5 games and the Cubs trail by 3.5 games.  The Reds and Cubs locked up once already this year at Wrigley Field in Chicago back in late April.  The Reds took 2 of 3 from the Northsiders, and look to repeat that success again this weekend at home.  Here is how the two teams match up.

Offense 

Pitching

Both of the teams are very close in both offense and defense.  They both rank among the leagues worst in offense, but the pitching has been outstanding.  I give a slight edge to the Reds in offense, but the Cubs pitching seems to be slightly better.  This has the makings to be a very good series.

Cub’s Projected Lineup

1. LF Alfonso Soriano           .243   13 HR    26 RBI
2. SS Ryan Theriot                 .283      5 HR    22 RBI
3. CF Kosuke Fukudome     .308      5 HR    20 RBI
4. 1B Derrek Lee                     .262       6 HR   21 RBI 
5. RF Milton Bradley           .220       5 HR    14 RBI
6. 3B Mike Fontenot           .230       5 HR    23 RBI
7. C   Geovany Soto             .209       1 HR     12 RBI
8. 2B Bobby Scales              .224       2 HR       6 RBI

The Cubs have a lot of talent in their lineup that could present some problems for the Cincinnati Reds.  Alfonso Soriano is an All-Star left fielder and one of the best leadoff men of all time that can put the ball in the seats with ease.  The Cubs also have gold glove first basemen Derrek Lee, all-star Milton Bradley, and last year’s Rookie of the Year Geovany Soto.  Most of these guy’s have been struggling this year for the Cubs, but if Reds pitchers make mistakes, this lineup will make them pay. 

Pitching Probables

Game 1   June 5th  7:10 pm EST    TV: FSN Ohio       Radio: 700 WLW

RHP Micah Owings (3-6 5.10)  vs Carlos Zambrano (3-2 4.22) 

Micha Owings has struggled most of this season and he hasn’t given me reason to believe he will be different in this series.  He took the loss in Wrigley earlier this year against the Cubs and I think he will take another L tonight.  He is prone to pitching well and then all of a sudden giving up a big inning and it’s all downhill from there.  The Reds have generally done well against Carlos Zambrano, who is making his first start since being suspended.  He has struggled most of this year, but pitched well against the Pirates in his last outing.  The Reds need to get some runs on the board early, and rattle the cage of Big Z.  That’s when he runs into trouble and let’s his emotions get the best of him.  I think the Cubs will win this one as Owings is once again not up to the task.  Zambrano gets his 100th career victory in this one.

Game 2  June 6th   7:10 pm EST         TV: FSN Ohio      Radio: 700 WLW

LHP Matt Maloney (0-0 0.00)   vs    Ryan Dempster (4-3 4.48)

Matt Maloney will be making his major league debut against former Red Ryan Dempster.  Maloneywas 4-3 with a 2.00 ERA in 10 starts at Louisville this year.  He has earned this chance to prove he can pitch in the big leagues and I think he does really well.  Cubs hitters have never seen him before and that works to his advantage.  Dempster, who was absolutely terrible in a Reds uniform, has pitched well in his Cubs career.  This year however, Dempster has struggled at times.  He pitched really well in his last outing against the Dodgers and seems to be getting back on track.  I think the Reds hitters know what to expect from Dempster and put a few runs up on the board.  I like the Reds in this one with Maloney earning his first big league win.

Game 3  June 7th    1:10 pm EST      TV: FSN Ohio       Radio: 700 WLW

RHP Bronson Arroyo (7-4 5.37)  vs  Randy Wells (0-2 1.69)

Which Bronson Arroyo will we see pitch in this one.  He has been one of the most inconsistent pitchers I have ever seen.  He goes from giving up 10 earned run’s in one inning pitched against Milwaukee, to pitching a complete game against the Astros last week.  It’s anybody’s guess what will happen with him in this outing.  Randy Wells has been a great pitcher than nobody has ever heard of.  His record is deceiving at 0-2 but his ERA is not.  Dude is a flat out good pitcher that doesn’t get the run support.  Wells is due for a bad outing and I think the Reds tag him in this one.  The good Arroyo shows up and the Redleg’s take care of business. 

My Final Thoughts

Nothing would be sweeter than taking a series from the hated baby bears.  There is absolutely nothing to like about this team or their delusional fans.  Let’s take this line for example:  “If they are good anda legit contender, then they win this series with little problem, if they lose the series, they are in trouble.” one Cub fan said.  Does he not realize that it’s early June and his team is only 3 games out?  Cubs fan’s are the biggest moron’s on this planet.  Even if the Reds get swept, is the season over?  Hell no!  Chicago fans need to realize that their team is not mightier than God and that you just aren’t that good.  You are an average team that might squeak into the playoffs andget bounced in the first round.  And please don’t blame it on some stupid goat or fan again this year.  Blame it on the team.  Nuff said, Reds take 2 of 3.  Andnow I will leave you with some words from Hall of Famer Marty Brenneman:

 Marty Brenneman rips Cubs