Cubs at Reds
The Chicago Cubs hit the midway point of the season on a high note, sitting atop the National League Central after squeezing out a dramatic win to earn a split of a four-game series against Atlanta. However, the Cubs have struggled away from home and will try to reverse that trend when they open a nine-game road trip at the Cincinnati Reds on Friday night.
Victor Caratini clubbed a two-run homer and Jason Heyward collected three RBIs as Chicago erased a five-run deficit in Thursday's 9-7 win over Atlanta -- only its seventh victory in 17 games. Craig Kimbrel, signed to a three-year, $43 million contract earlier this month, made his season debut and wriggled in and out of trouble to earn the save in the series finale. The Reds were on a tear with six consecutive victories, only to follow it by dropping the final four games of their road trip to remain anchored in the NL Central basement. “This is what happens with good teams that have good seasons -- you find a way to bounce back," Cincinnati manager David Bell said. "Friday, going into the (nine-game) homestand, will be very important.”
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FS Southeast (Atlanta), WGN (Chicago)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs LH Cole Hamels (6-2, 2.92 ERA) vs. Reds RH Sonny Gray (3-5, 4.03)
Hamels has yet to face the Reds this season but he has dominated them throughout his career, owning an 11-1 record and 1.91 ERA in 17 starts while winning four of five decisions at Great American Ball Park. Although he is coming off back-to-back no-decisions, the 35-year-old has been superb this month with five straight quality starts, working at least seven innings in each and posting a 1.00 ERA. Jose Peraza has enjoyed success against Hamels, going 4-for-9 with a homer.
Gray has tailed off a bit since closing last month by allowing one run in back-to-back victories, going 1-1 with a 5.40 ERA in four starts in June and lasting 4 1/3 innings in a no-decision at Milwaukee last time out. The 29-year-old has make it through six innings only twice in his last 11 turns, including a start versus Chicago on May 15 in which he gave up three runs and five hits (two homers) over five frames. Gray had limited Heyward and Kris Bryant to a combined 0-for-14.
WALK-OFFS
1. Cubs SS Javier Baez and C Willson Contreras were named NL All-Star starters on Thursday.
2. Reds OF Yasiel Puig has four homers and eight RBIs in his last seven games.
3. Cubs 1B Anthony Rizzo has two hits Thursday after going 4-for-27 in the previous nine games.