Cubs at Reds
Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon told reporters Saturday that he planned to sit out Javy Baez on Sunday, but the All-Star shortstop could have his skipper rethinking that strategy. Baez struck the decisive blow with a grand slam in Saturday's 6-0 victory in Cincinnati, putting the Cubs in position for a series win in Sunday's rubber match versus the host Reds.
Baez extended his hitting streak to seven games overall with his fifth career slam, boosting his overall numbers to 20 homers and 56 RBIs to help Chicago beat Cincinnati for the third time in eight meetings this season. Jason Heyward went deep for the second straight day and has knocked in seven runs during a four-game RBI streak for the Cubs, who improved to 16-22 on the road. The Reds fell for the fifth time in six games despite a pair of hits from Joey Votto, who has six in the series and is 17-for-34 against Chicago this year. Scooter Gennett, who made his season debut Friday after recovering from a groin injury sustained in spring training, has an infield hit in eight at-bats in his first two games.
TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network, NBCS Chicago, FS Ohio (Cincinnati)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs LH Jon Lester (7-5, 3.83 ERA) vs. Reds RH Anthony DeSclafani (4-4, 4.70)
Lester was battered for 19 runs and 25 hits in losing his final three starts last month, but he improved to 4-1 in June by holding Atlanta to two runs (zero earned) and five hits while striking out seven over six innings on Monday. He managed to keep the Braves in the ballpark in that outing after surrendering seven home runs in his previous three turns. Lester owns a 7-1 record and 3.88 ERA in 16 starts against Cincinnati, but he has been unable to solve Jose Peraza (12-for-29).
DeSclafani notched a season-high nine strikeouts at Milwaukee last time out, but that was about the only positive after he was raked for six runs and eight hits over 4 1/3 innings to end a three-start unbeaten streak. The 29-year-old had beat Houston with 5 1/3 innings of one-run ball on June 18 and Cleveland with 5 2/3 innings of one-run ball. DeSclafani gave up three homers in 3 2/3 innings at Chicago on May 24, including one to Kris Bryant, who is 6-for-17 against him.
WALK-OFFS
1. Cubs LF Kyle Schwarber's RBI double Saturday was only his fourth hit in 32 at-bats versus the Reds this season.
2. Votto raised his batting average 20 points by going 10-for-18 in the last five games.
3. Cubs LH Cole Hamels (oblique) went on the 10-day injured list Saturday and will undergo an MRI exam on Monday.