Manny Ramirez will not be in the Cubs’ lineup today. Well, or any day this year, based on the announcement of his signing. But it still felt necessary to note, given the hullabaloo.
Jason Hammel goes for the series win today, a start after his hand nearly exploded in response to a Brett Gardner come-backer. He’ll be opposed by Ian Kennedy, who’s been nails for the Padres this year.
John Baker has settled in as the regular catcher for Jason Hammel, so he’s in there again today. Last night’s rough one didn’t take Junior Lake out of the lineup just yet, and hopefully he’ll bounce back with a good, strikeout-less game today.
Game Info
Chicago Cubs (18-29) at San Diego Padres (22-28), 3:10 CT on WGN.
Game Thread and Series Preview
Game threads now live here in the comments – and with Disqus, they should be even more enjoyable.
The Series Preview lives here.
Starting Pitchers
Jason Hammel (2.91 ERA, 3.21 FIP, 3.59 xFIP; 3.77 K/BB)
versus
Ian Kennedy (3.79 ERA, 2.74 FIP, 2.88 xFIP; 4.71 K/BB)
San Diego Padres Lineup
1. Everth Cabrera, SS
2. Will Venable, RF
3. Seth Smith, LF
4. Chase Headley, 3B
5. Yonder Alonso, 1B
6. Jedd Gyorko, 2B
7. Cameron Maybin, CF
8. Rene Rivera, C
9. Ian Kennedy, P
Chicago Cubs Lineup
1. Emilio Bonifacio, CF
2. Junior Lake, LF
3. Anthony Rizzo, 1B
4. Starlin Castro, SS
5. Luis Valbuena, 2B
6. Mike Olt, 3B
7. Nate Schierholtz, RF
8. John Baker, C
9. Jason Hammel, P