• Where: Wrigley Field.

        • When: 3:20 p.m. today; 2:20 p.m. Saturday; 2:20 p.m. Sunday.

        • Radio: WLW-AM (700).

        • TV: WGN today, Saturday and Sunday (subject to blackout), Fox Sports Net Saturday and Sunday.

        • The bats: Sammy Sosa has 42 RBI and is hitting .343 with 13 home runs. Eric Young (.326, 16 RBI, 15 steals in 16 tries), Henry Rodriguez (10 HRs, 28 RBI) and Shane Andrews (10 HRs, 27 RBI) are also having productive years.

        Mark Grace is on the DL (strained right hamstring).

        • The arms:

        Today — RHP Steve Parris (2-5, 5.71) vs. RHP Ismael Valdes (0-1, 10.80)

        Saturday — LHP Ron Villone (5-1, 3.74) vs. RHP Jon Lieber (4-2, 3.86).

        Sunday — RHP Rob Bell (3-2, 4.19) vs. RHP Kevin Tapani (1-5, 5.52)

        The Cubs are last in the NL in ERA at 6.54. They've given up the most hits and second-most home runs and walks. Over 11 games, they have allowed 98 runs, 129 hits and 64 walks.

        • The rest: The Cubs have lost three in a row and 10 of 13. They've lost eight games in the last at-bat. The Reds took two of three from the Cubs in April.

Reds 4, Pirates 3 Box, runs Rest doesn't sit well with Bichette Fernandez gives bullpen a break Reds-Cubs Scouting Report McGwire climbs HR ladder

• Return to Reds front page...