The Chicago Cubs host the Cincinnati Reds on Monday in the first game of a three-game set at Wrigley Field. These teams will be meeting for the sixth time this season on Monday, with the road side claiming three of the first five meetings. <\/p>\n
Cincinnati Reds (37-37) at Chicago Cubs (31-42)<\/strong>
\nDate: Monday, June 23, 2014<\/strong>
\nTime: 8:05 p.m. ET<\/strong>
\nVenue: Wrigley Field<\/strong>
\nCity: Chicago, Illinois<\/strong>
\nMoney Line: Chicago -108, Cincinnati -102<\/strong>
\nPitching Matchup: RH Alfredo Simon (10-3, 3.05 ERA) at RH Jeff Samardzija (2-6, 2.60 ERA)<\/strong>
\n [dfads params=’groups=63740&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]<\/strong><\/p>\nMLB Matchup Stats<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0MLB ATS Insider Preview<\/a><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
The Cubs send out Jeff Samardzija for the opener of this series. Samardzija has played the role of tough luck loser for the most pert this season, compiling a 2-6 record despite a stellar 2.60 ERA. <\/p>\n
The Cubs are just 3-12 in his starts this season. He\u2019s quietly regressed a fair bit, though not many have taken notice.<\/p>\n
\nBuy Razor Ray’s MLB Picks in 2014. You won’t regret it!! \u2014\u2013><\/a><\/h3>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Over his last five outings, Samardzija has seen his ERA climb from 1.46 to 2.60. In those outings, he\u2019s allowed 17 earned runs, while also giving up an additional four unearned runs. In his last outing, Samardzija allowed seven hits and no earned runs while striking out eight and walking three in six innings of work.<\/p>\n
What that line doesn\u2019t reveal is that he also gave up three unearned runs, and while Samardzija escaped with a no-decision, the Cubs did go on to lose the game. Samardzija\u2019s faced the Reds twice this season, allowing four earned runs in 12 2\/3 innings, but he also gave up an additional two earned runs. The Cubs lost each of those outings by a combined score of 7-3.
\n[dfads params=’groups=10&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]
\nThe Reds counter with Alfredo Simon. He\u2019s certainly due for a regression at some point this season, though don\u2019t count on it against a light-hitting Cubs team. Simon\u2019s led the Reds to wins in each of his last four starts and six of his last seven.<\/p>\nHe\u2019s actually been better on the road, where he has gone 7-1 in seven starts, posting a 2.66 ERA. In his lone start at Wrigley Field this season he allowed only one unearned run in six innings of work, suurendering only four hits.<\/p>\n
Simon has already outdueled Samardzija twice this season, and there is no reason to expect a different outcome when the teams meet on Monday. Cincinnati comes in as the hotter ball club. They worked hard to get to .500 with a win on Sunday, and they won\u2019t want to give up that distinction just a day later.<\/p>\n
The under also looks like a fair play in this outing, depending on how the wind is blowing. Both pitchers have the ability to limit runs, and the Reds won\u2019t have the luxury of facing the Blue Jays\u2019 pitching staff in this one.<\/p>\n
The Reds are 7-1 in Simon\u2019s last eight road starts, while the Cubs are 3-13 in Samardzija\u2019s last 16 home starts.<\/p>\n
The Reds are 50-20 in the last 70 meetings between these teams, and 21-6 in the last 27 meetings at Wrigley Field.<\/p>\n
The under is 6-2 in Samardzija\u2019s last eight home starts, and 10-4 in Simon\u2019s last 14 starts overall.<\/p>\n