The Cubs (81-78) have now reached their final series of the 2024 season at Wrigley Field against the Reds this weekend. Cincinnati (76-83) has been a disappointment this year with another losing record, leading to the firing of manager David Bell on Sunday. With this matchup only counting for pride, I’m going to focus this preview on the North Siders.
If the Cubs take two of three in this set, they will finish with a record identical to the 83-79 mark they posted in 2023. The rest of the National League fared much better in 2024, leaving the Cubs much further from a playoff spot than they were last year.
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The failure to improve on last season despite the flashy addition of Craig Counsell as manager and hitting big on free agent starter Shōta Imanaga was very frustrating for everyone involved. Jed Hoyer and the front office held off making any aggressive moves after poaching Counsell, leaving Chicago mired in its current purgatory just above 80 wins.
This weekend is also likely the end of an era as Kyle Hendricks, the last remaining player from the 2016 World Series team, makes what should be his final start in a Cubs uniform. The Professor has had an incredible 10-year run on the North Side but his struggles in the last two seasons make it pretty clear that he is moving on.
It will be an emotional scene when Hendricks takes the mound one last time at the Friendly Confines donning the blue pinstripes. With none of the World Series winners remaining on the roster in Chicago, the pressure is building to make a big push for the playoffs in 2025. Seats will be hot next season for everyone involved if progress isn’t being made.
Game Time and Broadcast Info
- Friday, September 27 at 1:20pm CT on MLB Network (out of market only) and Marquee.
- Saturday, September 28 at 1:20pm CT on Marquee.
- Sunday, September 29 at 2:20pm CT on Marquee.
Starting Pitchers
| Date | Pitcher | Age | T | ERA | W/L | FIP | K/BB |
| 9/27 | Jameson Taillon | 32 | R | 3.41 | 11-8 | 3.94 | 3.97 |
| TBA | |||||||
| 9/28 | Kyle Hendricks | 34 | R | 6.28 | 4-12 | 5.07 | 2.07 |
| Nick Martinez | 34 | R | 3.22 | 10-6 | 3.25 | 6.28 | |
| 9/29 | TBA | ||||||
| Rhett Lowder | 22 | R | 1.40 | 2-2 | 2.81 | 1.91 |
What to Watch For
- Imanaga would be lined up to start Sunday but it appears the Cubs will probably shut him down as he has already hit his career high in innings.
- Pete Crow-Armstrong has a .748 OPS and a 108 OPS+ in the second half.
- Isaac Paredes had six hits in the most recent series against the Phillies.
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The post Chicago Cubs vs Cincinnati Reds – Series Preview (September 27-29): Overview, Game and Broadcast Info, Starting Pitchers, W2W4 appeared first on Cubs Insider.