NEWSLETTER
As I said in the lineup post earlier, the Cubs have already taken care of business this weekend, when they won the first two games of the series. With their magic number at 4, clinching sure feels like a matter of when not if.
However, with two teams chasing the Cubs, I can’t say burying the Brewers with one final win today wouldn’t make me feel a whole lot more comfortable. Hopefully, they get it done.
Starting for the Cubs today is Jose Quintana. Quintana came just one out short of his fourth straight quality start last weekend, when he went 5.2 innings against the Cardinals, allowing three earned runs on six hits and just one walk. He struck out eight batters in that one, which continued an ongoing and interesting trend.
Over his last four games, Quintana has struck out 30 batters against just three (!) walks. And while he’s always had both skills (strikeout stuff and command), he’s never done either to this extent. It’s very interesting and something we’ll have to explore soon.
Starting opposite Quintana today is Brewers righty Chase Anderson. Anderson has had a huge season when he’s been on the field, earning a 2.74 ERA and 3.0 WAR over 23 starts. Unfortunately (for the Brewers), an oblique injury kept him out for all of July and most of June. Since returning near the end of August, however, he’s been even better: 2.39 ERA (3.87 FIP). In his last start, he went 6.0 scoreless innings against the Pirates, with no walks and eight strikeouts. Today could be a challenge.
Let’s see if the Cubs come through and lower that magic number down another notch (or two).
Game Info
Chicago Cubs (86-68) at Milwaukee Brewers (82-73) – 1:10 CT on ABC-7, 670 The Score
Game Thread and Series Preview
Your game thread is down in the comments, so let’s have some good, clean (safe-for-work) fun today.
Starting Pitchers
Cubs: Jose Quintana (L): 4.27 ERA, 3.87 FIP, 3.80 xFIP; 3.20 K/BB
versus
Brewers: Chase Anderson (L): 2.74 ERA, 3.57 FIP, 4.50 xFIP; 3.08 K/BB
Milwaukee Brewers:
- Hernan Perez, 2B
- Domingo Santana, RF
- Ryan Braun, LF
- Travis Shaw, 3B
- Jesus Aguilar, 1B
- Orlando Arcia, SS
- Stephen Vogt, C
- Keon Broxton, CF
- Chase Anderson, P
Chicago Cubs Lineup:
- Jon Jay, LF
- Kris Bryant, 3B
- Anthony Rizzo, 1B
- Willson Contreras, C
- Ben Zobrist, 2B
- Addison Russell, SS
- Jason Heyward, RF
- Albert Almora Jr., CF
- Jose Quintana, P
