The Cubs are in a rough patch, and they’ll get no quarter from the Nationals, who are streaking and have finally climbed into first place in the weakened NL East.
Travis Wood has, himself, hit a rough patch, and he could use one of those dominant starts – we know he’s got it in him – to turn things around a bit.
Wood is opposed tonight by Doug Fister, in the kind of all-innuendo matchup of which headline writers dream. (“Fister? No need, Cubs have Wood” … I’m terribly sorry for that.)
Game Info
Washington Nationals (41-36) at Chicago Cubs (32-44), 7:05 CT on CSN.
Game Thread and Series Preview
Game threads now live here in the comments – and with Disqus, they should be even more enjoyable.
The Series Preview lives here.
Starting Pitchers
Doug Fister (2.65 ERA, 4.12 FIP, 3.73 xFIP; 6.00 K/BB)
versus
Travis Wood (4.55 ERA, 4.09 FIP, 4.53 xFIP; 2.15 K/BB)
Washington Nationals Lineup
1. Denard Span, CF
2. Anthony Rendon, 3B
3. Jayson Werth, RF
4. Adam LaRoche, 1B
5. Ryan Zimmerman, LF
6. Ian Desmond, SS
7. Wilson Ramos, C
8. Danny Espinosa, 2B
9. Doug Fister, P
Chicago Cubs Lineup
1. Ryan Sweeney, LF
2. Justin Ruggiano, RF
3. Anthony Rizzo, 1B
4. Starlin Castro, SS
5. Luis Valbuena, 3B
6. Welington Castillo, C
7. Junior Lake, CF
8. Darwin Barney, 2B
9. Travis Wood, P