The Cubs have a chance to spoil the Pirates’ season, but is that really something you want the Cubs to do to the Pirates … ?
By way of reminder, the Series Preview hooks you up with what you need to know about every series this year – streaks, broadcast information, pitchers, expected lineups, etc. That way, if you want to check only one place to get a sense about an upcoming series, or to plan ahead, you’ve got it. Oh, and there will be pictures of beautiful women, too.
We’re Going Streaking
The Cubs have lost six in a row and were just swept in embarrassing fashion by the Nationals.
The Pirates have fallen way back in the NL Central, but are just 1.5 games out in the Wild Card race. It’s been a bad stretch of late for them, being swept by the Brewers and then losing one of three (yes, that’s a bad thing) to the Astros. I’m sure they’re itching for a sweep.
Game Times and Broadcasts
- Friday, September 7 at 6:05 CT on CSN.
- Saturday, September 8 at 6:05 CT on CSN.
- Sunday, September 9 at 12:35 CT on WGN.
Expected Starters and Lineups
These lineups are likely to be pretty close to what actually gets fielded, but you’ll want to check each day’s Pre-Gamin’ post for the actual lineup.
Cubs
Starters: Travis Wood (4-11, 4.64), Jeff Samardzija (8-13, 3.91), Chris Rusin (0-2, 9.00)
Lineup:
- David DeJesus, RF
- Josh Vitters/Luis Valbuena, 3B
- Anthony Rizzo, 1B
- Alfonso Soriano, LF
- Starlin Castro, SS
- Steve Clevenger/Welington Castillo, C
- Brett Jackson, CF
- Darwin Barney, 2B
- Pitcher
Pirates
Starters: A.J. Burnett (15-5, 3.63), James McDonald (12-7, 3.90), Jeff Locke (0-1, 4.82)
Lineups:
- Brock Holt, 2B
- Travis Snider, RF
- Andrew McCutchen, CF
- Garrett Jones, 1B
- Pedro Alvarez, 3B
- Michael McKenry/Rod Barajas, C
- Alex Pressley, LF
- Clint Barmes, SS
- Pitcher
Hot or Not and Whom to Watch
Brett Jackson has cooled in the last week after seemingly finding something click. Over that stretch, he’s hitting just .059/.158/.118 and has struck out 10 times in 19 plate appearances. Chicken or egg: over that same stretch, he started getting platooned out against lefties.
Anthony Rizzo has a hit in seven of his last eight games, and six extra base hits over that stretch. His line is .406/.441/.781, which is his best eight game stretch since his uber hot start.
Travis Wood has lost his last eight decisions, though he does have four quality starts over that stretch.
Since July 24, Garrett Jones is hitting an incredible .340/.399/.653. Over that same period, Andrew McCutchen is hitting just .281/.362/.379.
James McDonald, whom the Pirates temporarily considered bouncing from the rotation (even after a stellar first half), has a 7.14 ERA over his last 51.2 innings pitched.
Series She-View
The Series She-View is one beautiful woman representing the Cubs taking on another (usually) beautiful woman representing the opponent. The Cubs’ representative will change as the team’s needs change – in other words, if the Cubs are winning, the rep will stay the same. But if the Cubs’ performance calls for a change, someone new will step in. The opponent’s representative will change from series to series, at my whim. But at least she’ll probably be wearing the opponent’s colors or have some connection to the team or something like that. It is immature, and the connection to baseball is tenuous at best. These things, I know.
Another once-and-gone Cubs rep, Miranda Lambert will be remembered as the most ignominious She-View rep ever (given the ugly, ugly sweep at the hands of the Nationals). How about Natalie Portman? I can’t remember if she’s been around before, but she’s lovely.
As for the Pirates … surprise! Sexy pirate lady!
versus
If the females are any indication of how this series will go, the Cubs are in TROUBLE!!!!!
Brett I think you need to give ashlynn brooke a series
Is that pirate chick from Pirates (the movie)?!
I love Natalie Portman
yes, yes, and yes.
Yes.
Portman was in Pirates of the Caribbean. Does that mean Pittsburgh has two representatives?
She was? Thought that was Knightley, then Hayek.
But in an odd bit of coincidence, Knightley played the doppelgänger handmaid to Portman’s Padmé Amidala in The Phantom Menace.
But how do you get back to Kevin Bacon.
I had bacon for breakfast. Boom.
Your right it was Knightley.
Knightley did (for all intents and purposes!) play Portman in Phantom Menace, so it is understandable that one might confuse them if one already had Pirates in his/her head.
Keira Knightley was in Pirates, not Natalie.
6 of one……half dozen discussion there.
Headed to PNC Park on Saturday. Considering the starters, I fully expect a 2-0 Cubs’ loss where the Shark Attack goes 7.2, 5H, 1R, 0ER, 8K, 2BB. At least the surroundings will be pretty.
Also looking forward to crab fries, sushi and a couple beers. Hoping to score an autograph or two – wife and I are sitting in the fourth row in Section 9 (section behind Cubs’ dugout on the OF end).
Natalie Portman is a goddess is human form
Nothing like having the Pirates on the schedule to break a losing streak… GO CUBS!!!
If any team deserves to sweep the Cubs to get back in the race, I vote for the Bucs!
I hope the Cubs win for Natalie.
jesse jane was in pirates
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[...] The Series Preview for this series lives here. [...]
[...] The Series Preview for this series lives here. [...]
[...] The Series Preview for this series lives here. [...]
[...] The Series Preview for this series lives here. [...]