So, maybe the key to a Cubs offensive explosion is to put out a lineup that plays possum, and doesn’t look terribly threatening at first glance. Of course, Jeff Samardzija is pitching today, so it probably wouldn’t matter.
The Cubs can win this series against the Brewers, something it feels like the Cubs have had the opportunity to do in Game Threes all season long. They just haven’t actually pulled it off much.
As for Samardzija, he got his one win for the year last time out, so we can go ahead and never speak of W/l record again. What matters is that he’s pitching like a fevered beast this year.
Starlin Castro was supposed to get the day off today, so he’d get back-to-back rest days, but he convinced Ricky Renteria to let him start.
Game Info
Chicago Cubs (20-33) at Milwaukee Brewers (33-23), 1:10 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
Jeff Samardzija (1.68 ERA, 2.80 FIP, 3.28 xFIP; 3.05 K/BB)
versus
Kyle Lohse (2.92 ERA, 3.45 FIP, 3.55 xFIP; 4.54 K/BB)
Milwaukee Brewers Lineup
1. Jean Segura, SS
2. Ryan Braun, RF
3. Jonathan Lucroy, C
4. Carlos Gomez, CF
5. Khris Davis, LF
6. Scooter Gennett, 2B
7. Mark Reynolds, 3B
8. Lyle Overbay, 1B
9. Kyle Lohse, P
Chicago Cubs Lineup
1. Emilio Bonifacio, CF
2. Junior Lake, LF
3. Anthony Rizzo, 1B
4. Starlin Castro, SS
5. Nate Schierholtz, RF
6. Welington Castillo, C
7. Mike Olt, 3B
8. Darwin Barney, 2B
9. Jeff Samardzija, P