Chicago Cubs (22-27) vs Cincinnati Reds (21-29)
Friday, May 26, 2023 at 2:20 pm
Justin Steele appears to have bounced back from the first rough portion on his otherwise stellar start to the season for the Chicago Cubs.
One of the under-the-radar, early-season stars, Steele looks to build on another strong outing when the Cubs open a three-game home series against Greene and the Reds on Friday.
After posting a 1.49 ERA in his final 10 starts of 2022, Steele (6-1, 2.20 ERA) ranks among the major league leaders in wins (tied for fourth), ERA (sixth), WHIP (1.01, 10th) and opponents' batting average (.212, 15th) this season.
On May 10 and May 16, the left-hander allowed a combined eight runs -- one more than yielded through his first seven starts -- over 12 innings against the St. Louis Cardinals and the Houston Astros. However, he rebounded on Sunday to throw six scoreless innings, while giving up four hits and striking out six, during a no-decision against the Philadelphia Phillies.
Greene (0-4, 4.68 ERA) will try an 11th time to earn a victory this season. The Reds have lost all four May starts by the right-hander, who went 0-3 with a 6.95 ERA and allowed seven home runs in those outings.