The Cubs go for the SWEEP of the Reds today, which is borderline shocking. Jeff Samardzija has been inconsistent in the second half, but so have Travis Wood and Edwin Jackson – and they fared just fine.
I find it interesting that, although Ryan Sweeney is out and Junior Lake is in, Darnell McDonald is playing center field, not Lake. Maybe it’s because Lake hasn’t looked quite as good in left as in center, and the Cubs want to continue evaluating him there to see how flexible he can become?
Game Info
Chicago Cubs (62-82) at Cincinnati Reds (82-64), 11:35 CT on WGN.
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 lives here.
Starting Pitchers
Jeff Samardzija (8-11, 4.29 ERA, 3.69 FIP)
versus
Mike Leake (12-6, 3.46 ERA, 4.09 FIP)
Cincinnati Reds Lineup
1. Shin-Soo Choo, CF
2. Brandon Phillips, 2B
3. Joey Votto, 1B
4. Jay Bruce, RF
5. Todd Frazier, 3B
6. Xavier Paul, LF
7. Zack Cozart, SS
8. Devin Mesoraco, C
9. Mike Leake, P
Chicago Cubs Lineup
1. Starlin Castro, SS
2. Luis Valbuena, 3B
3. Anthony Rizzo, 1B
4. Nate Schierholtz, RF
5. Junior Lake, LF
6. Darnell McDonald, CF
7. Welington Castillo, C
8. Darwin Barney, 2B
9. Jeff Samardzija, P