The Cubs head home after a beat-down of a road trip. At least there’s a cool 1930s homestand underway.
The Series Preview gives you the rundown on what you need to know for the upcoming series. In that way, it’s kind of a preview. About a series. See how that works?
We’re Going Streaking
The Cubs lost two of three to the Cardinals after being swept by the Braves after losing three of four to the White Sox … I don’t want to talk about it.
After, heh heh, losing two of three to the Diamondbacks, the Brewers bounced back to take a series from each of the Yankees and Pirates. At 26-15, the Brewers no longer have the top record in the league, but they do still hold a five-game lead on the Cardinals in the NL Central.
Game Times and Broadcasts
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: Jeff Samardzija (1.45 ERA, 2.92 FIP; 2.81 K/BB), Edwin Jackson (4.56 ERA, 3.43 FIP; 2.00 K/BB), Travis Wood (4.91 ERA, 3.54 FIP; 2.93 K/BB)
Lineup (with obvious rotations in place):
- Emilio Bonifacio, CF
- Ryan Kalish, LF (Junior Lake gets in, too)
- Anthony Rizzo, 1B
- Starlin Castro, SS
- Nate Schierholtz, RF
- Luis Valbuena, 2B
- Welington Castillo, C
- Mike Olt, 3B (he’s actually usually batting a bit higher than this, depending on other rotations)
- Pitcher
Brewers
Starters: Kyle Lohse (2.75 ERA, 3.40 FIP; 3.67 K/BB), Matt Garza (4.98 ERA, 3.76 FIP; 2.17 K/BB), Wily Peralta (2.05 ERA, 3.72 FIP; 3.90 K/BB)
Lineup:
- Carlos Gomez, CF
- Scooter Gennett, 2B
- Ryan Braun, RF
- Jonathan Lucroy, C
- Mark Reynolds, 3B
- Lyle Overbay, 1B
- Khris Davis, LF
- Jean Segura, SS
- Pitcher
Hot or Not and Whom to Watch
Please forgive me, but, with the site changes going on – and taking a LOT of time – I’ve got to beg off of this section today. Some guys are hot, other guys are not. You should watch the Cubs players, and not the Brewers players.