Chicago Cubs @ Cincinnati Reds – Series Preview (June 6-9): Overview, Game and Broadcast Info, Starting Pitchers, W2W4
The Cubs (31-31) were able to win both games against the reeling White Sox thanks to a pair of late-inning comebacks. It was Chicago’s first series victory in seven attempts and they won back-to-back contests for the first time since May 5. They hope to extend that into an actual hot streak when they head to Southern Ohio for four with the Reds.
Cincinnati (29-33) swept the Colorado Rockies after they won two of three from the Cubs at Wrigley Field last weekend. Their once-struggling offense exploded for 29 runs in the three games at Coors Field. Catcher Tyler Stephenson has been hot of late and always puts up numbers against Chicago.
The Reds are very aggressive on the bases and demonstrated it against the North Siders’ shaky baserunning defense. The starting pitching has been very good recently and helped them move up in the standings over the last two weeks, though they’re still a half-game behind the Pirates for last in the division.
One vulnerability is closer Alexis Díaz, who has really struggled in 2024 and came close to blowing Friday’s game. He likely would have if Nick Madrigal hadn’t been sent home on a regrettable play that cost the Cubs dearly.
It’s hard to tell whether the Cubs are starting to play better or if it’s just that a truly awful White Sox team made them look better. This series will offer a much clearer picture of what direction they are heading.
Game Time and Broadcast Info
- Thursday, June 6 at 6:10pm CT on MLB Network (out of market only) and Marquee.
- Friday, June 7 at 6:10pm CT on Marquee.
- Saturday, June 8 at 3:10pm CT on MLB Network (out of market only) and Marquee.
- Sunday, June 9 at 12:40pm CT on Marquee.
Starting Pitchers
| Date | Pitcher | Age | T | ERA | W/L | FIP | K/BB |
| 6/6 | Javier Assad | 26 | R | 2.27 | 4-1 | 3.72 | 2.35 |
| Hunter Greene | 24 | R | 3.44 | 3-2 | 3.52 | 2.53 | |
| 6/7 | Justin Steele | 28 | L | 4.10 | 0-2 | 4.42 | 3.27 |
| Nick Lodolo | 26 | L | 3.11 | 5–2 | 3.18 | 4.90 | |
| 6/8 | Ben Brown | 24 | R | 3.33 | 1-2 | 2.63 | 3.39 |
| Andrew Abbott | 25 | L | 3.39 | 4-5 | 4.71 | 2.89 | |
| 6/9 | Shōta Imanaga | 30 | L | 1.88 | 5-1 | 2.78 | 6.50 |
| Frankie Montas | 31 | R | 4.00 | 3-4 | 4.60 | 2.10 |
What to Watch For
- Dansby Swanson got on base four times against the White Sox as he works out of a major slump.
- Assad has been battling control problems recently and has walked 11 batters in his last three starts.
- Imanaga has not been sharp in his two outings since getting skipped in the rotation in St. Louis.
