Chicago at Cincinnati

The Cincinnati Reds have had a tough start to the season at just 11-14. The Reds have nine one-run losses of their 14 losses overall. Tonight they turn to Alfredo Simon who is off to a brilliant start at 3-1 backed by a 1.30 ERA, but there is a swirl of controversy, and his focus may be elsewhere. Simon is now named in a civil suit, as a woman has alleged he raped her, so his focus could be an issue. Jeff Samardzija is winless in his last 11 starts, despite eight of them being quality starts. This season he is winless despite having allowed 2 or fewer earned runs in each of his five starts. The Reds have been a struggling team, especially at home where they are a woeful 4-10 in their last 14, and have had problems getting off to a good start as they are 1-8 in their last nine series openers. Play on the Cubs.