Well, they ain’t the Nationals, but they’re still a playoff contender. The Pirates aren’t too shabby this year, and this series means a whole lot to them.
Game Info
Chicago Cubs (51-86) at Pittsburgh Pirates (72-64), 6:05 CT on CSN.
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 (4-11, 4.64 ERA, 5.29 FIP)
versus
A.J. Burnett (15-5, 3.63 ERA, 3.77 FIP)
Pittsburgh Pirates Lineup
1. Brock Holt, 2B
2. Starling Marte, LF
3. Andrew McCutchen, CF
4. Garrett Jones, RF
5. Gaby Sanchez, 1B
6. Pedro Alvarez, 3B
7. Rod Barajas, C
8. Josh Harrison, SS
9. A.J. Burnett, P
Chicago Cubs Lineup
1. David DeJesus, RF
2. Luis Valbuena, 3B
3. Anthony Rizzo, 1B
4. Alfonso Soriano, LF
5. Starlin Castro, SS
6. Steve Clevenger, C
7. Brett Jackson, CF
8. Darwin Barney, 2B
9. Travis Wood, P
So if the Cubs are shutting down Samardzija after his next start, does that make Volstad or Wood the ace of the staff?
Thanks for that little ray of sunshine…
Gonna get uglier… Cubs definitly lose 100…
I’d say Woody, only because he’s shown more flashes this year…and his ERA’s about 2 points lower.
Clevenger two nights in a row? Is there something wrong with Castillo or hasn’t Dale Sveum realized yet he’s way better than Clevenger?
Watching the Cubs game on MLB.com. The announcers are saying that Soriano is the runaway MVP of the Cubs this year. How bad is your team if a player no other team wants, no matter how much salary you are willing to give them is your MVP.
It would be awful. However, that player wouldn’t be Soriano.
well, try to imagine the starting 8 next year without his numbers?..not saying he will be as productive…in fact he could tank or be retired…but if some team looking for a DH agrees to take him and Cubs let him go but willing to eat 95% of salary….who would replace his production?..Nobody currently..does that mean FA again?…dont have the money ….could be very ugly
Okay, you are right. The Giants wanted Soriano.
Sori turned down a trade to the O’s, too. Also, the Cubs were not willing to eat all of his salary, at least according to reports.
Did B-Jax totally miss home plate on that slide home? Sure looks like he did on the replay. Ump was looking at the catcher to see if he held onto the ball.
Wow, big ups to Jackson for that catch. As Stacy King would say “Heart, hustle and muscle!”
Jackson!! Impressed by that catch. That was 100% effort
Marmol in the 9th with a 10 run lead? This should be fun.