Cubs at Reds
The Chicago Cubs may have lost much more than a game in the series opener against the Cincinnati Reds, watching left-hander Cole Hamels exit Friday's game after only one inning due to a left oblique sprain. Forced to use their bullpen for seven innings, the Cubs will hope for a solid outing from Jose Quintana in the second of a three-game set Saturday afternoon.
Joey Votto collected four hits, including No. 1,800 of his career, as the Reds snapped a four-game losing streak with a 6-3 victory Friday night. Nick Senzel and José Iglesias each drove in a pair of runs as Cincinnati improved to 5-2 this season against the National League Central leaders. Jason Heyward belted a two-run homer to give him six RBIs over the past three games for Chicago, which dipped to 15-22 away from home. Kyle Schwarber was hitless in four at-bats Friday to fall to 3-for-28 in seven games against Cincinnati this season.
TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, ABC-7 (Chicago), FS Ohio (Cincinnati)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs LH José Quintana (4-7, 4.50 ERA) vs. Reds RH Luis Castillo (7-2, 2.56)
Quintana is winless since May 5 and is coming off an ugly performance against the New York Mets last weekend, getting pounded for nine runs on nine hits while surrendering three homers over 4 1/3 innings. The outing dropped the 30-year-old Colombian to 0-6 over his last nine starts, including a pair of losses to the Reds last month in which he was tagged for nine runs and 18 hits over 10 1/3 innings. Votto has been a nemesis for Quintana, going 10-for-20 with four doubles.
Castillo lasted only 3 2/3 innings at Milwaukee a week ago, giving up six runs on five hits and five walks. He has struggled mightily with his control, issuing six free passes in his previous turn and at least four walks in five of his last eight starts to give him 49 for the season, matching his 2018 total. Willson Contreras is 4-for-6 with three doubles off Castillo, who beat the Cubs with 5 1/3 innings of two-run ball last month to improve to 3-1 with a 3.75 ERA against them.
WALK-OFFS
1. Hamels will be placed on the injured list and will undergo an MRI exam.
2. Reds 2B Scooter Gennett, out since spring training due to a groin injury, went 1-for-4 in his season debut.
3. Heyward is 12-for-25 over the past seven games.