SB Nation Chicago - Reds Vs. Cubs: Reds Look To Clinch NL Centralhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48877/chicago-fave.png2012-09-18T10:38:30-05:00http://chicago.sbnation.com/rss/stream/31162312012-09-18T10:38:30-05:002012-09-18T10:38:30-05:00Welington Castillo Making Strong Bid To Be Cubs 2013 Catcher
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<p><span>Welington Castillo</span> may be in line to become the starting catcher for the <a href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Chicago Cubs</a> in 2013. He's certainly making his best case.</p>
<p>Castillo has been the Cubs' primary option behind the plate since they traded <span>Geovany Soto</span> to Texas in late July in exchange for cash and <span>Jacob Brigham</span>. Manager Dale Sveum <a target="_blank" href="http://www.csnchicago.com/baseball-chicago-cubs/cubs-talk/Welington-Castillo-looks-like-the-everyd?blockID=774993&feedID=10336">said</a>:</p>
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<p>"He's made probably the biggest progress I think of anybody on the team right now. The changes he's made in his defense and calling a game and the preparation he's been going through -- his whole attitude has changed dramatically, right into an everyday catcher's mindset right now. ... I think going into spring training, he'll feel like he's the everyday catcher. "</p>
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<p>Castillo is hitting .275 on the season. More importantly, he's posted an impressive .309 average since becoming the everyday catcher in August. Lately, Castillo has been hitting sixth, directly behind <span>Starlin Castro</span>.</p>
<p><i>For more on the Cubs, be sure to visit <a target="_blank" href="http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Bleed Cubbie Blue</a>.</i></p>
https://chicago.sbnation.com/chicago-cubs/2012/9/18/3352196/chicago-cubs-welington-castillo-2013-rosterBrandon Kline2012-09-18T09:05:00-05:002012-09-18T09:05:00-05:00Reds Vs. Cubs Preview: Germano To Face Division Leaders
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<img alt="HOUSTON,TX - SEPTEMBER 11: Justin Germano #41 of the Chicago Cubs pitches against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on September 11, 2012 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/-yoTYke9WVTnlTrPfcHaXbAABBI=/0x24:4000x2691/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/photo_images/8940973/151807260.jpg" />
<figcaption>HOUSTON,TX - SEPTEMBER 11: Justin Germano #41 of the Chicago Cubs pitches against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on September 11, 2012 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) | Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Justin Germano and the Cubs will take their first stab Tuesday at pushing Cincinnati's division clincher out of Wrigley Field.</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Chicago Cubs</a> are tasked with delaying the <a href="https://www.redreporter.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Cincinnati Reds</a>' clinching of the National League Central in a series that starts at 7:05 p.m. CT Tuesday night in Chicago.</p>
<p>The Reds' magic number to clinch the division title, which they won last in 2010, is five. Given the Reds' and <a href="https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">St. Louis Cardinals</a>' schedules, the earliest the Reds could clinch would be Thursday in Chicago. But that would require a Reds' sweep at Wrigley Field and at least two Cardinals' losses at home against the <a href="https://www.crawfishboxes.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Houston Astros</a>.</p>
<p><span>Justin Germano</span> will head to the mound to try to keep Cincinnati's celebration out of the Friendly Confines. Germano has thrown 54<b id="internal-source-marker_0.3311925835441798">⅔</b> innings in the majors this season between Chicago and the <a href="https://www.overthemonster.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Boston Red Sox</a>, and he has an ERA of 5.60 in those 11 appearances.</p>
<p>He gave up three hits and one run in five innings with eight strikeouts his last time out, against the Astros, but Houston got to the Cubs' bullpen and won, 7-2.</p>
<p>Reds starter <span>Homer Bailey</span> is riding a streak of good starts heading into Tuesday. He's allowed two or fewer runs in four of his last five starts, and he's pitched at least six innings in all of those starts. He gave up four runs in 5<b id="internal-source-marker_0.3311925835441798">⅔ </b>innings in his last start against the Cubs, a 10-7 Reds win on Aug. 10.</p>
<p><i>For more on the Cubs, be sure to visit <a target="_blank" href="http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Bleed Cubbie Blue</a>. Additional coverage on the Reds can be found at </i><a target="_blank" href="http://www.redreporter.com"><i>Red Reporter</i></a><i>. And <a target="_blank" href="http://mlb.sbnation.com/">Baseball Nation</a> is the place to go for news and analysis from around the league.</i></p>
https://chicago.sbnation.com/chicago-cubs/2012/9/18/3351714/cincinnati-reds-chicago-cubs-preview-justin-germanojlpennington