- From Wrigley Field in Chicago, it’s Reds vs Cubs
- Cincinnati sends righty Rhett Lowder to the hill
- Chicago responds with lefty David Peterson
Lowder is Having a Low-Key Good Season
Rhett Lowder was the Reds’ 1st round pick (7th overall) in the 2023 MLB Draft. The righty has pitched at least 5 innings in his last 5 starts. For the season, he has an 0.7 bWAR and a 5.13 ERA. Over 107 frames, he’s allowed 114 hits, 61 earned runs, and 15 homers, walking 43 and striking out 83. He missed time with shoulder problems earlier in the season.
At the plate, rookie Sal Stewart leads the majors with 100 RBI. He has 28 homers and an .806 OPS. Cincinnati recently put Eugenio Suarez and TJ Friedl on waivers in the hopes that some team would claim them, an unlikely scenario.
Against David Peterson, JJ Bleday is 6 for 12 with a home run. Elly De La Cruz is 3 for 9 with a double. Ke’Bryan Hayes is 4 for 10 with a double, 2 walks, and 2 K’s. Matt McLain is 3 for 7 with 3 singles. Dane Myers is 4 for 8 with a double. Tyler Stephenson is 6 for 12 with 2 doubles.
Peterson Has Been a Different Pitcher for the Cubs
David Peterson was horrific this season for the Mets with a 6.09 ERA in 16 appearances, often used as a bulk reliever. Since he was traded (given) to the Cubs, he’s been a different pitcher. In 10 appearances (9 starts), he’s posted a 0.2 bWAR and a 3.93 ERA. Over 50.1 innings, he’s allowed 47 hits, 22 earned runs, and 6 homers, walking 19 and striking out 40.
For the playoff-bound Cubs against Lowder, Alex Bregman is 0 for 5 with a walk and a strikeout. Michael Conforto is 1 for 1 with a home run. Ian Happ is 1 for 5 with a single. Pete Crow-Armstrong is 0 for 2 with 2 walks.
Crow-Armstrong leads the majors in bWAR at 7.9 and might win the MVP. Bregman has been heating up lately and now has 19 homers. They are still without Dansby Swanson, out with an oblique injury.
Reds vs Cubs Pick
Lowder seems to be finding his groove after returning from shoulder woes. The Cubs are a power-hitting club, but he has handled them in the past. Peterson, on the other hand, has gotten hammered by the Reds. Stewart will get some down-ballot MVP votes of his own with his power and production. The Reds have basically completely punted the season by trying to dump the disappointing Suarez and Friedl. However, in this matchup, they will get to Peterson and beat the Cubs in this afternoon tilt at Wrigley Field.
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Pick
Cincinnati Reds +171
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