It is Hayden Wesneski’s time to shine and I don’t think I have felt this confident about a Cubs starting pitcher since 2016. Yes, I am all in on Wesneski being the next big thing for the Chicago Cubs and that’s going to begin Tuesday against the Cincinnati Reds.

The Cubs offense has scored 11 runs in their last two games, which should be good enough to win, but they lost both of those games. That’s not supposed to happen with this season’s pitching staff and it can’t happen if the Cubs want to be playoff contenders in 2023. For the most part, if the Cubs can score at least four runs, then they should win more often than not this year.

After back-to-back subpar performances from the Cubs starting pitchers, Wesneski is now tasked to be the stopper and honestly he’s exactly who I want out there to do just that. We saw a glimpse of how great Wesneski can be in 2022, and coincidentally his first and last MLB outings last year came against the Reds.

In his MLB debut, Wesneski recorded his season-high in strikeouts in the majors with eight, allowing just two hits and a walk in five shutout innings at Wrigley Field. In his final start of the season, Wesneski pitched six innings and struck out six, surrendering one earned run on four hits and a walk.

Although the 25-year-old pitcher only has 33 MLB innings under his belt, Wesneski carries himself like a 10-year pro and that mindset not only caught the attention of his teammates and coaches in spring training, but it also helped him dominate the starting rotation competition that he easily won in Arizona.

So yeah, I have one bet suggestion.

Bet to Make

Using FanDuel’s odds. This bet is under pitcher performance doubles in the pitcher props tab for the Cubs vs. Reds game today.

Hayden Wesneski 6+ strikeouts AND Cubs to win (+290)

Reds Starting Pitcher Luis Cessa

Right-handed pitcher Luis Cessa has spent most of his MLB career with the New York Yankees, but he’s been with the Reds since the middle of the 2021 season. Since then the righty has been used as a reliever and starting pitcher, making 70 appearances overall for Cincinnati.

In 2022, the Cubs faced Cessa six times, tagging him for five runs in the first three matchups against him out of the bullpen. Cessa did make two starts against the Cubs later in the season and he was much better, striking out 12 in 10.2 innings and only giving up three earned runs combined.

Cubs hitters vs. Luis Cessa
Ian Happ: 2-for-8, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 1 BB,
Trey Mancini: 1-for-8, 1 RBI, 4 BB, 4 K
Eric Hosmer: 2-for-5, 1 HR, 2 RBI
Nico Hoerner: 1-for-5, 1 3B, 2 BB, 1 K
Patrick Wisdom: 1-for-5, 2 K
Yan Gomes: 0-for-3

Here is the Cubs starting lineup against Cessa.

2B Nico Hoerner
SS Dansby Swanson
LF Ian Happ
CF Cody Bellinger
DH Trey Mancini
3B Patrick Wisdom
1B Eric Hosmer
C Yan Gomes
RF Miles Mastrobuoni

Good to see Patrick Wisdom still in the lineup. He got drilled on the wrist and had x-rays taken after the game. For now at least, he’s good to go. Hopefully doesn’t get asked to bunt again.

Hey, that loss from Monday was tough, but there were some positives. Hopefully the offense keeps it going today.