Chicago Cubs vs Cincinnati Reds – April 4, 2023

After a come from behind win on Monday night, the Cincinnati Reds will look to pick up a win this evening and grab another series victory. The Chicago Cubs will try to even the series up at one game a piece. First pitch is set for 6:40pm ET.

Starting Lineups

Starting Pitchers

Stats from 2022

Luis Cessa

Last season saw Luis Cessa move into the rotation in late August. He would make nine starts before the season ended and two of those starts came against the Cubs. Cessa pitched well in both, allowing three total runs in 10.2 innings with one walk and 12 strikeouts.

Last year when it came to average, on-base percentage, walks, and strikeouts – there wasn’t much difference between lefties and righties when they faced Luis Cessa. But when it came to power there was a pretty big difference. Righties showed off a lot more power against him than lefties did. That hasn’t always been the case, though. In 2021 he didn’t give up a single home run to a righty and gave up five of them to lefties in far fewer matchups.

2022 Splits

Pitch Usage (from 2022)

Hayden Wesneski

Called up in September of last year, Wesneski’s season began with a 5-inning, 8-strikeout performances where he allowed no runs against the Reds. His season ended a month later when he allowed a run in 6.0 innings while picking up six strikeouts against the Reds. This spring he picked up where he left off, posting a 2.12 ERA out in Arizona in his five spring training starts, racking up 22 strikeouts in 17.0 innings.

His splits in the big leagues were on a pretty limited sample size. He was successful against both lefties and righties, but lefties in particular did absolutely nothing against him. In the minor leagues in 2022 his splits were a bit different. Lefties showed plenty of power against him, hitting .245/.304/.456 in 227 plate appearances, while righties hit .209/.284/.274 against him in 230 plate appearances.

2022 Splits

Pitch Usage (from 2022)

When and Where

• Game time: 6:40pm ET
• Where: Great American Ball Park
• Watch: Bally Sports Ohio, MLB.tv
• Listen: 700 WLW AM (Cincinnati area)
• Forecast: 74°, cloudy, 5% chance of rain

News and Notes

Nick Senzel and Tony Santillan to start rehab assignments

Earlier today it was announced that outfielder Nick Senzel and right-handed reliever Tony Santillan would be heading out to join Triple-A Louisville on rehab assignment. Senzel is recovering from a toe injury and surgery, while Santillan is coming back from a back injury. You can read more about both from our piece earlier today. Senzel is in the lineup tonight and starting in center. Joey Votto’s also in the lineup and he’s starting at first base.

Joey Votto not likely to return at the earliest possible date

David Bell said it’s unlikely for Joey Votto to return on Thursday. Jose Barrero is available today. Jason Vosler is going to start getting a bit of pregame work in the outfield.

— Charlie Goldsmith (@CharlieG__) April 4, 2023

That’s not terribly surprising. Votto will only have played in four games while on his rehab assignment if he would return to Cincinnati on Thursday.

Standings