The Chicago Cubs have played three doubleheaders this year, and they have yet to win a game. Yes. Three doubleheaders, and three sweeps.
Today, they’ll try to do a little better against the Cardinals (whom they blasted last night), and the first game will be started by newcomer Felix Doubront. The 26-year-old lefty is on something of an extended audition for the Cubs, as he hopes to work his way into a long-term starting role. Like the other, similar guys the Cubs have picked up, Doubront has talent. He just has to put it all together.
We’ll see how he’s looking these days. He made three rehab starts in the minors with the Cubs since the trade, and has had mixed results. Tons of strikeouts, some walks, lots of hits. Who knows what he was working on, though? I wouldn’t put too much into those performances. The evaluation starts today.
The Cardinals, too, call upon a recent addition to start in this one – Justin Masterson, a deadline pick-up from the Indians. It’s been a disastrous year for the free-agent-to-be, and I believe I’ve read that he’s going to do this entire start from the stretch to try and work out some kinks.
Jorge Soler and Anthony Rizzo sit out this first one, and it sounds like Rizzo might sit out the whole weekend with his back issue. For Soler, it’s just the usual proactive protection of his hamstrings. There was no way he was going to play in both games today.
Game Info
Chicago Cubs (60-74) at St. Louis Cardinals (71-62), 1:15 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
Felix Doubront (Cubs Debut)
versus
Justin Masterson (5.88 ERA, 4.26 FIP, 4.04 xFIP; 1.67 K/BB (Indians and Cardinals))
St. Louis Cardinals Lineup
1. Matt Carpenter, 3B
2. Randal Grichuk, RF
3. Matt Holliday, LF
4. Matt Adams, 1B
5. Jhonny Peralta, SS
6. A.J. Pierzynski, C
7. Jon Jay, CF
8. Daniel Descalsco, 2B
9. Justin Masterson, P
Chicago Cubs Lineup
1. Chris Coghlan, LF
2. Javier Baez, 2B
3. Starlin Castro, SS
4. Luis Valbuena, 3B
5. Arismendy Alcantara, CF
6. Logan Watkins, RF
7. Chris Valaika, 1B
8. John Baker, C
9. Felix Doubront, P