The Cubs welcome the very-hot Giants to Wrigley Field, and face Madison Bumgarner, who always seems to kill the Cubs. Maybe Joe Mather leading off will be the difference – he and his .255 OBP (don’t worry, it’s .286 against lefties!).
Also, it sounds like Jeff Beliveau is coming back today, with Brooks Raley’s season over. Over the next few days, September call-ups are expected, including Adrian Cardenas, Tony Campana, Dave Sappelt, Miguel Socolovich, Chris Rusin (who will enter the rotation), Anthony Recker, and Rafael Dolis, assuming he’s fully healthy.
Game Info
San Francisco Giants (74-57) at Chicago Cubs (50-80), 1:20 CT on CSN.
Game Thread and Series Preview
The Game Thread lives here. You should participate in the madness. And, of course, for those who aren’t into message board-style game threads, please feel free to use the comments on this post for your in-game commentary/outbursts.
The Series Preview for this series lives here.
Starting Pitchers
Madison Bumgarner (14-8, 2.93 ERA, 3.34 FIP)
versus
Chris Volstad (1-9, 6.28 ERA, 4.30 FIP)
San Francisco Giants Lineup
(This isn’t the Giants’ actual lineup. I had to schedule this post before I hit the road today, so this is a meager guess. If the lineup comes out and someone is inclined to post it in the comments, I’d be much obliged.)
1. Angel Pagan, CF
2. Marco Scutaro, 2B
3. Pablo Sandoval, 3B
4. Buster Posey, C
5. Hunter Pence, RF
6. Brandon Belt, 1B
7. Gregor Blanco, LF
8. Joaquin Arias/Brandon Crawford, SS
9. Madison Bumgarner, P
Chicago Cubs Lineup
1. Joe Mather, RF
2. Josh Vitters, 3B
3. Anthony Rizzo, 1B
4. Alfonso Soriano, LF
5. Starlin Castro, SS
6. Welington Castillo, C
7. Brett Jackson, CF
8. Darwin Barney, 2B
9. Chris Volstad, P