The Cubs are going for the sweep(!) today, which would really put a big ‘ole crimp in the Pirates’ playoff plans. If spoiler’s all you got, you play it, but I sure wish it wasn’t the Pirates on the receiving end. Why can’t it be the freaking Cardinals?
A bunch of the young bench guys get starts against the lefty Locke (plus Joe Mather leading off, because that has always made sense). Anthony Recker gets his first start with the Cubs behind the plate.
Game Info
Chicago Cubs (53-86) at Pittsburgh Pirates (72-66), 12:35 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
Chris Rusin (0-2, 9.00 ERA, 8.27 FIP)
versus
Jeff Locke (0-1, 4.82 ERA, 3.32 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. Michael McKenry, C
8. Clint Barmes, SS
9. Jeff Locke, P
Chicago Cubs Lineup
1. Joe Mather, CF
2. Darwin Barney, 2B
3. Anthony Rizzo, 1B
4. Alfonso Soriano, LF
5. Starlin Castro, SS
6. Josh Vitters, 3B
7. Dave Sappelt, RF
8. Anthony Recker, C
9. Chris Rusin, P
–
like this lineup
with mather leading off? can’t tell if serious…
And Barney #2? You basically are giving the opposition two quick outs to start the game.
With this lineup, I’d go Rizzo, Soriano, Castro, Out, Out, Out, Out, Out, Pitcher. That way you’d get what little offense you have to bat the maximum number of times. (There is all too high a probability that the game will end with Castro getting fewer PAs than Mather or Barney, and that’s just wrong.)
Mather’s on base percentage for today’s game .500. Maybe Sveum knew what he was doing after all!
Correction… .600.
Bringing his season OBP all the way up to .245
So, I know sori is probably one of castro’s biggest mentors on the team but has anybody else noticed his batting stance, swing, ect is very much looking like soriano’s? I just hope he doesn’t start using that log of a bat!
Yawn
Anyone know if Leake is still pitching for the Reds? Haven’t heard about him for a while and thought he’d be a good tail-end starter.