Cubs-Reds Preview

Nicholas Castellanos has paid immediate dividends after being acquired by Chicago Cubs for a pair of pitching prospects before the trade deadline.

Castellanos has hit safely in all eight games with his new team heading into Friday's second contest of a four-game series against the host Cincinnati Reds.

The 27-year-old Castellanos recorded his fifth career multi-homer performance on Thursday as the National League Central-leading Cubs collected their sixth win in seven outings with a 12-5 victory over the Reds.

"That's the way we're supposed to look -- the energy before the game, the dugout was alive," manager Joe Maddon said. "There were a few more smiles and a refreshing kind of attitude. That's what you have to be."

Castellanos isn't the lone new addition making an impact for Chicago. Ian Happ -- who was called up late last month -- homered and recorded four RBI for the second straight day while, Jonathan Lucroy drove in two runs to highlight his three-hit performance in his debut.

Lucroy, who was signed in part to replace an injured All-Star catcher Willson Contreras (hamstring), said he felt right at home after joining his new team.

"There's a lot of familiarity," the 33-year-old said. "So, I'm definitely looking forward to contributing and being part of it. Being able to step in and not having to worry about learning guys on the fly, but actually being able to be comfortable with them and getting in there, it's pretty nice."

Javier Baez carries a seven-game hitting streak (13-for-29 with 10 RBI) into Friday's game against right-hander Trevor Bauer (9-8, 3.85 ERA), who will make his second start since being acquired by Cincinnati in a three-team deal prior to the trade deadline.

Bauer allowed three runs on seven hits in 4 2/3 innings of a no-decision at Atlanta on Saturday.

The 28-year-old sports a 3-0 mark with an 0.46 ERA and 1.17 WHIP in three career starts versus the Cubs.

Chicago right-hander Yu Darvish (4-5, 4.36) will look to continue his good fortune versus the Reds when he gets the nod on Friday.

Darvish improved to 3-0 with a 2.92 ERA in six career starts against Cincinnati on July 17 after scattering two hits and striking out seven in six scoreless innings in a 5-2 win.

Derek Dietrich has homered twice against the 32-year-old Darvish. He joins rookie Nick Senzel in going 4-for-10 versus the hurler.

Rookie Aristides Aquino, who will get his first look at Darvish, is 9-for-15 with three homers in his last five games after going deep and driving in three runs in the series opener.

"He continues to hit the ball hard and has a really nice approach," Reds manager David Bell said of the 25-year-old Aquino. "He's still in the early stages of his major league career. We'll continue to look for opportunities for him maybe not to play every single day. We'll make sure we're mindful of that and just ease him in."--Field Level Media