Hey, there’s a baseball game tonight. Thank God. And if something really crazy happens in the game that dominates the headlines for the next 24 hours, that would be fine.
The Cubs are going for a series win tonight, with Jeff Samardzija on the hill. Samardzija’s ERA has climbed relatively steadily since the first week of the season, and he hasn’t quite had another truly dominant outing since then. Maybe tonight’s the night.
Luis Valbuena, as expected, is back in the lineup after recovering from his pinkie injury.
Game Info
Colorado Rockies (21-18) at Chicago Cubs (16-23), 7:05 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
Jon Garland (3-3, 4.83 ERA, 1.69 K/BB)
versus
Jeff Samardzija (1-5, 3.70 ERA, 3.00 K/BB)
Colorado Rockies Lineup
1. Eric Young, RF
2. Dexter Fowler, CF
3. Carlos Gonzalez, LF
4. Troy Tulowitzki, SS
5. Todd Helton, 1B
6. Nolan Arenado, 3B
7. Josh Rutledge, 2B
8. Yorvit Torrealba, C
9. Jon Garland, P
Chicago Cubs Lineup
1. David DeJesus, CF
2. Starlin Castro, SS
3. Anthony Rizzo, 1B
4. Alfonso Soriano, LF
5. Nate Schierholtz, RF
6. Luis Valbuena, 3B
7. Dioner Navarro, C
8. Darwin Barney, 2B
9. Jeff Samardzija, P