NEWSLETTER
The Cubs will try to keep their winning ways going tonight against Brandon McCarthy. It’s lame to think this way, but I can’t help but feel that tomorrow’s 100th Anniversary Game at Wrigley will have just a little more zing if the Cubs have won a couple in a row, and they’re going for their first series win.
Jason Hammel makes his fourth start for the Cubs, following Travis Wood’s all-universe performance last night. You know what, Jason? We’ll all settle for just the pitching part.
But, hey, Hammel does have a homer in his career. He also has a .117/.137/.158 career line.
Emilio Bonifacio gets the night off, and it’s Luis Valbuena – not Darwin Barney – who replaces him at second base. Valbuena and his robust OBP also lead off.
Outside of that, though, the lineup is actually stacked with a number of righties – Olt, Lake and Ruggiano get starts – plus John Baker subbing in for Welington Castillo. It’s kind of an odd mix, but McCarthy has no platoon split to speak of, so it makes a lot of sense to do it on a day like today.
Game Info
Arizona Diamondbacks (5-17) at Chicago Cubs (6-12), 7:05 CT on CSN.
Game Thread and Series Preview
The Game Thread lives here. 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
Brandon McCarthy (7.11 ERA, 5.57 FIP, 3.33 xFIP; 2.67 K/BB)
versus
Jason Hammel (3.05 ERA, 4.74 FIP, 3.84 xFIP; 3.20 K/BB)
Arizona Diamondbacks Lineup
1. Tony Campana, CF
2. Martin Prado, 2B
3. Paul Goldschmidt, 1B
4. Eric Chavez, 3B
5. Cody Ross, LF
6. Gerardo Parra, RF
7. Chris Owings, SS
8. Tuffy Gosewisch, C
9. Brandon McCarthy, P
Chicago Cubs Lineup
1. Luis Valbuena, 2B
2. Justin Ruggiano, CF
3. Anthony Rizzo, 1B
4. Nate Schierholtz, RF
5. Starlin Castro, SS
6. Mike Olt, 3B
7. Junior Lake, LF
8. John Baker, C
9. Jason Hammel, P
