The Cubs look to avoid the sweep today behind Travis Wood, who has been fairly inconsistent over the last few weeks. On the other side of the bump is Yovani Gallardo, who’s been dominant in August.
Alfonso Soriano gets the day off today, which scrambles the lineup a bit.
Game Info
Chicago Cubs (47-75) at Milwaukee Brewers (56-66), 1:10 CT on WGN.
Game Thread and Series Preview
The Game Thread lives here. You should participate in the madness. And, of course, for those who aren’t into message board-style game threads, please feel free to use the comments on this post for your in-game commentary/outbursts.
The Series Preview for this series lives here.
Starting Pitchers
Travis Wood (4-9, 4.83 ERA, 5.59 FIP)
versus
Yovani Gallardo (12-8, 3.67 ERA, 3.78 FIP)
Milwaukee Brewers Lineup
1. Norichika Aoki, RF
2. Rickie Weeks, 2B
3. Ryan Braun, LF
4. Aramis Ramirez, 3B
5. Corey Hart, 1B
6. Martin Maldonado, C
7. Carlos Gomez, CF
8. Cody Ransom, SS
9. Yovani Gallardo, P
Chicago Cubs Lineup
1. David DeJesus, LF
2. Luis Valbuena, 3B
3. Starlin Castro, SS
4. Anthony Rizzo, 1B
5. Bryan LaHair, RF
6. Steve Clevenger, C
7. Brett Jackson, CF
8. Darwin Barney, 2B
9. Travis Wood, P
Anyone heard anything recently on the obsessive wrigley renovation. Been quiet for quite awhile.
hey, a sweep would help us solidify the #2 pick!
like you’ve said previously, it’s a mixed bag: watching the Cubs lose is always frustrating, but then again, if you’re going to be bad, be real bad and getting a better payoff in drafts picks. it’s not just the 1st round pick, all the other picks in the draft move up too! plus more money in the pool.
Estrada is pitching two days in a row? Don’t know how I feel about that since he on my fantasy team. He scored big for me last night, but he would probably get lit up going back to back games.
you could always just take him out of your starting line….oh wait. crap.
I’m just wondering why Ace has Estrada in his.
Bah. The stats were right …
Swap Valbuena and Barney in the lineup and I’m good. Not like that’ll actually make a difference, anyway.
Can’t LaHair play left as easily as moving DeJesus over there?
Why is it when I look at the Cubs line up I just go ho hum. Looking like the Cubs in 16.
Ho Hum.
Castro’s first AB: Watched 3 straight fastballs right down the middle. Really?
THE NEXT MF’ER THAT WATCHES STRIKE THREE IS FINED $10,000!!!!!!!!
^^^THIS^^^
Tremendously well played!
FWIW, Jim Callis had a couple Cubs prospect questions in his chat today…though his future OF alignment seems odd to me.
A.J. (Dallas): Most of the Cubs top prospects either seem to be at 3B (Vitters, Villanueva, Baez) or OF (Jackson, Szczur, Soler, Almora). Who do you see as the keepers and what would you do with the rest?
Jim Callis: A lot of those guys will have to move anyway. I think Baez winds up at third base (though reviews of his shortstop defense have been positive) and Almora winds up in center field. Chicago’s future outfield will be Soler in left, Almora in center, Jackson in right.
Eric (Chicago): Who gets your nod as the Cubbies’ top prospect at present – Baez or Soler?
Jim Callis: Baez. Big offensive upside and may just stay at shortstop for a while. I’d take Almora over Soler, too.
Dan (Chicago): Brooks Raley, Chris Rusin, Erik Jokisch, Austin Kirk. Which soft-tossing lefty starter has the best stuff/future with the Cubs? Can any of them stick around long term as maybe a #4 starter?
Jim Callis: I ask myself that question every year when I do the Cubs Top 30 list. I’ll say Raley, and he has a chance to be a No. 4 at best. I’m not in love with any of those guys. They’re all similar, finesse lefthanders who can pitch a little bit.
Cubs let 6 scouts go today. What’s up with that? A little help Brett, por favor.
I’ll have more on it later. But it’s just the housekeeping that’s been expected for a while now.
this team is plain ol horseshit!