The Cubs have already won the Crosstown Cup. This is just the makeup of a superfluous game, so let’s all remember that the Cubs are the winners no matter what happens tonight.
Let’s also pretend like everyone isn’t just going to be hyperfocused on Matt Garza to the exclusion of all else.
If you’re able to notice anything else, you’ll see that the against-lefty lineup is a weird one, with Welington Castillo shoehorned in as DH (since Dioner Navarro is totally not Garza’s personal catcher, but, like, yeah he is).
By the way, trade season makes teams do funny things: I have a hard time believing that Adam Dunn is actually a better defensive first baseman than Jeff Keppinger would be. But you better believe the White Sox want to make sure to show that they’re just fine-a-rooney with Dunn playing first base.*
*Or Dunn is adequate at first base, and I just haven’t been paying attention to the Sox. Why would I?
UPDATES: The tarp is on the field right now, so there might be a delay. That’s one update. The other is that Welington Castillo is out with flu-like symptoms, and Luis Valbuena is going to DH tonight.
Game Info
Chicago Cubs (38-48) at Chicago White Sox (34-51), 7:10 CT on WCIU (Cubs), CSN (White Sox).
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. (kinda)
Starting Pitchers
Matt Garza (4-6, 3.12 ERA, 3.33 FIP)
versus
Hector Santiago (2-4, 3.45 ERA, 4.01 FIP)
Chicago White Sox Lineup
1. Alejandro De Aza, LF
2. Gordon Beckham, 2B
3. Alex Rios, RF
4. Adam Dunn, 1B
5. Jeff Keppinger, DH
6. Conor Gillespie, 3B
7. Alexei Ramirez, SS
8. Josh Phegley, C
9. Blake Tekotte, CF
Chicago Cubs Lineup
1. Starlin Castro, SS
2. Cody Ransom, 3B
3. Anthony Rizzo, 1B
4. Alfonso Soriano, LF
5. Dioner Navarro, C
6. Welington Castillo, DH
7. Darwin Barney, 2B
8. Dave Sappelt, RF
9. Julio Borbon, CF