A pair of NL Central teams looking to 2023 and beyond close out a series on the diamond in the Friendly Confines. The Cincinnati Reds are on the road as they close out a three-game weekend set with the Chicago Cubs Sunday afternoon. In the opening game of the series Friday night, it was the Cubs rolling to a 6-1 victory to maintain their recent late-season momentum. Which team picks up the win in the series finale before they change venues for three more at the Great American Ball Park? This article was published prior to the conclusion of the middle game of the series at Wrigley Field Saturday afternoon.
Cincinnati lost their fourth straight and their seventh in the last eight games as they were knocked off in the opening game of this series Friday afternoon. The Reds entered Saturday fourth in the NL Central, 31 games behind the Cardinals for the top spot in the division. They have been eliminated from postseason contention. On Friday, Jake Fraley (run, RBI) had three hits, including his 12th homer of the season in the second inning, but the rest of the Reds went one for 26 in the game. Graham Ashcraft (5-5) took the loss on the mound as he allowed six runs (five earned) on six hits with two walks and one strikeout over 2.2 innings of work.
Chase Anderson is on the mound for his eighth appearance and seventh start of the season for the Reds in this contest. He comes in 2-3 with a 4.70 ERA, a 1.087 WHIP, 11 walks and 23 strikeouts over 23 innings of work on the season. Anderson didnȁ 9;t factor in the decision in his last start, which came against the Pirates on the road Monday. He threw four innings, allowing one run on four hits with no walks and five strikeouts in a game the Reds lost 8-3. In his last three starts, Anderson is 2-0 with a 1.93 ERA, a 0.71 WHIP, two walks and 12 strikeouts over 14 innings of action. Anderson makes his 16th career appearance and 15th start against the Cubs in this contest. He comes in 5-5 with a 3.33 ERA, a 1.071 WHIP, 22 walks and 58 strikeouts over 75.2 innings of work against them. Anderson is 2-3 with a 4.04 ERA, a 1.318 WHIP, 13 walks and 23 strikeouts over 35.2 innings in eight career starts at Wrigley Field.