The Chicago Cubs play host to the Cincinnati Reds on Monday night in the series opener from Wrigley Field. The Cubs have come on strong of late and while they still sit in third place in the NL Central standings, have certainly closed the gap. The Reds have moved into first place in the division themselves and will want to keep the momentum going. In five meetings between the two this season, the Reds have dominated to the tune of a 4-1 record, though this could be a series that fans won't want to miss.
Cincinnati may have expected to be a seller by the August 1 trade deadline, but at 58-49 at 0.5 games ahead of Milwaukee in the NL Central, they won't be sellers and could be buyers. The Reds also lost second baseman Jonathan India to plantar fascitis in his left football. He was placed on the 10-day injured list and outfielder Stuart Fairchild was called up from Triple-A Louisville. India was hitting .251 with 14 homers and 12 steals, but had struggled since late May, hitting just .211.
Air Beamin'
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— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) July 30, 2023
Over the weekend, the Reds took two of three at the LA Dodgers, after losing two of three to NL Central rival Milwaukee. They blanked the Dodgers 9-0 on Sunday thanks to a strong performance from Graham Ashcraft, who went six innings and allowed five hits with no runs. Cincy also hit three home runs led by Elly De La Cruz, who not only hit his seventh, but also tallied four hits.
Lefty Andrew Abbott takes the mound for the Cubs. He's allowed just two runs and 11 hits over his last 20 innings. Abbott is 6-2 with a 1.90 ERA overall this season.