Jake Arrieta will look to continue the Cubs’ relatively winning-ish ways of the past couple weeks, and could help the Cubs lock down a series win against the best team in baseball. Arrieta was great last time out against the Padres after getting a week off to work on his mechanics. Here’s hoping there were some legit fixes, and he continues to improve. You really can’t overstate how important his emergence this year could be to the Cubs in 2015 and beyond.
Tim Hudson, who is always excellent, goes for the Giants. He’s proving to be a fantastic offseason signing – the kind that you can lock up if you’ve got a clear playoff-caliber team.
Justin Ruggiano makes his return to the starting lineup after coming back from his hamstring injury. He spells Junior Lake in left field.
Game Info
Chicago Cubs (19-30) at San Francisco Giants (32-19), 9:15 CT on CSN.
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
Jake Arrieta (2.33 ERA, 3.05 FIP, 3.32 xFIP; 2.22 K/BB)
versus
Tim Hudson (2.13 ERA, 3.07 FIP, 3.17 xFIP; 6.50 K/BB)
San Francisco Giants Lineup
1. Angel Pagan, CF
2. Hunter Pence, RF
3. Buster Posey, C
4. Pablo Sandoval, 3B
5. Michael Morse, 1B
6. Tyler Colvin, LF
7. Brandon Crawford, SS
8. Ehire Adrianza, 2B
9. Tim Hudson, P
Chicago Cubs Lineup
1. Emilio Bonifacio, CF
2. Justin Ruggiano, LF
3. Anthony Rizzo, 1B
4. Starlin Castro, SS
5. Luis Valbuena, 2B
6. Welington Castillo, C
7. Nate Schierholtz, RF
8. Mike Olt, 3B
9. Jake Arrieta, P