Cubs keep dropping the Reds
Cincinnati should be the Cubs real competition in the Central. Are they?
Every time I started to wonder why the Reds are in fourth place instead of second place, a Cub would hit a ball to Will Benson.
The Reds still seem like the biggest threat to the Cubs in the Central, even though the Cubs have handled them by winning four of the six meetings so far, they've had to come from behind in three of the wins.
Perhaps the Reds bullpen could use a little work?
As of this post, the Cubs have outscored the Reds, 27-0, in Innings 7-9 in their six meetings this season
— Jordan Bastian (@bastianmlb.bsky.social) 2025-06-01T20:36:23.662Z
The Reds have the second best run differential in the division. They are certainly better than the current second place team, the Cardinals. Though the Cardinals do lead them in a very important category: number of fat guys with beards.
"Wait, was that Brendan Donovan, Alec Burleson or Pedro Pages?" Nobody knows. Nobody cares.
In fact, just when you thought the Cardinals couldn't go any deeper, Jordan Walker injured himself while wandering around right field trying to do...whatever, and the Cardinals called up this schlub to replace him.
Anyway, the Cubs don't need to spend any time looking in the rear view mirror. They are currently tied for the best record in the National League and have a four game lead in the division. And if the Reds really are their biggest threat, they lead them by 8.5 games.
Kyle Tucker left yesterday's game in the fifth inning with an injury that led to quite a bit of in-game speculation. While trying to steal a base in the first inning he did most of his sliding on his face, so there was some concern it was a concussion. In the at bat that led to him being on first to try that stolen base he was hit in the toe with a pitch, so maybe it was a bum piggy? And, in his fifth inning at bat he appeared to twist his ankle trying to get out of the box.
Well, it turns out that at least as far as the Cubs training staff can figure (feel free to cringe), Tucker jammed his right ring finger on that face plant into second. The Cubs think it's no big deal. Tucker seems to think it's no big deal. Craig Counsell didn't seem to think it was a big deal.
Tucker wears one of the base running oven mitts. It's meant to guard against such an injury. And yet, he now has a puffed up finger on his throwing hand. Because, while Tucker is a left handed hitter, he's a right handed thrower. That must be why he wears the oven mitt on...
...his left hand?
