Before the Cubs kicked the Pirates ass for the third straight day at Wrigley Field on Sunday, probables for their next series against the Reds were released. The Reds have been extremely pesky against the Cubs this season, going 9-7 against them and the pitching matchups leaned their way for this upcoming series.
So, the Cubs were originally scheduled to face Sonny Gray and Luis Castillo, who are both pitching lights out for the Reds this season. However, later on Sunday the Reds announced a change to their starting rotation and now the Cubs won't be facing Castillo at all.
Not only do the Cubs face Kevin Gausman instead of Castillo, but Yu Darvish is now going up against Gray, which should give the Cubs a better chance to win that game too.
Obviously games are decided by what happens on the field and not on paper, but this is a huge break for the Cubs.
Castillo has started four games against the Cubs this season, throwing a combined 25 innings, allowing nine earned runs (3.24 ERA). Meanwhile, Gausman has been working out of the bullpen for the Reds ever since they claimed him off waivers from the Braves.
The right-hander has a 4.02 ERA and 1.15 WHIP in 15.2 innings with the Reds.
It appears as though Gausman is getting a chance to prove he can still be a starter going forward. He had one good full season as a starter with the Orioles and was great in 10 starts in 2018 after traded to the Braves, but Gausman was awful with Atlanta this year. He made 16 starts for the Braves this season and posted a 6.19 ERA in 80 innings.
The Cubs are getting a break. We'll see if they take advantage, as they've crept within two games of the Cardinals in the division.
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