Jorge Soler makes his Wrigley debut, but it comes with mixed emotions, since he’ll do it without Anthony Rizzo in the lineup. The duo have yet to play together, as Rizzo is still laid up with back tightness. There are reports that he might get an MRI if it doesn’t clear soon, to which I wonder out loud: why not just do it now? That’s not a rhetorical question, mind you, because there’s got to be a reason that the Cubs and Rizzo can’t just go take a quick scan. I’m not a medical guy, so maybe there’s some obvious scheduling/technical/etc. reason.
Jacob Turner makes start number two with the Cubs. With Turner, as with, for example, Felix Doubront, try not to focus too much on the results. Instead, look at what he’s working with: how’s his velocity? How’s his command? Good bite on his offspeed stuff? Can you see the pieces there for future success? That’s what matters this month.
Game Info
Milwaukee Brewers (73-63) at Chicago Cubs (61-76), 1:20 CT on WGN
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
Jimmy Nelson (4.10 ERA, 3.66 FIP, 3.93 xFIP; 3.00 K/BB)
versus
Jacob Turner (5.84 ERA, 3.94 FIP, 3.97 xFIP; 2.24 K/BB)
Milwaukee Brewers Lineup
1. Scooter Gennett, 2B
2. Jonathan Lucroy, C
3. Ryan Braun, RF
4. Aramis Ramirez, 3B
5. Khris Davis, LF
6. Gerardo Parra, CF
7. Mark Reynolds, 1B
8. Jean Segura, SS
9. Jimmy Nelson, P
Chicago Cubs Lineup
1. Chris Coghlan, LF
2. Javier Baez, 2B
3. Starlin Castro, SS
4. Luis Valbuena, 3B
5. Jorge Soler, RF
6. Welington Castillo, C
7. Arismendy Alcantara, CF
8. Chris Valaika, 1B
9. Jacob Turner, P