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Well, Joe Maddon said Willson Contreras would be considered as an option to fill in for Anthony Rizzo at first base and the Cubs manager didn’t waste much time to do it.
Victor Caratini has become Yu Darvish’s personal catcher, so that’s the starting battery tonight against the Reds, while Contreras remains in the lineup at first base.
This is the first time Contreras has started at first base since 2017. He has three total MLB starts at first, the first two coming during his rookie season in 2016.
It’ll be a tough matchup for the Cubs, as Sonny Gray has been great this year, posting a 2.80 ERA in 29 starts. Since the All-Star break, Gray has a 1.84 ERA in 12 starts, while holding opponents to a .163 batting average.
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The Cubs have won five games in a row, scoring 55 runs in their last four.
Darvish has also been good since the All-Star game, posting a 2.44 ERA in 11 starts. The Cubs are going to need another deep start, as the bullpen is currently without Craig Kimbrel and Brandon Kintzler, while Rowan Wick and Kyle Ryan threw 25 and 24 pitches, respectively, on Monday.
