The Cubs dropped Game One of today’s doubleheader despite a solid debut performance from Dallas Beeler, who’s already on a bus back to AAA Iowa (maybe not literally).
Jeff Samardzija starts Game Two, with the eyes of the world on every start he makes these days. I’d say no pressure, Jeff, but I don’t think he’s capable of feeling pressure. Ice veins.
If the Cubs win this one, they take the series from the Nationals, and knock them out of first place in the NL East. Things!
Game Info
Washington Nationals (42-38) at Chicago Cubs (34-45), 6:15 CT on FOX.
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
Blake Treinen (2.08 ERA, 3.06 FIP, 3.87 xFIP; 1.70 K/BB)
versus
Jeff Samardzija (2.53 ERA, 2.89 FIP, 3.21 xFIP; 3.13 K/BB)
Washington Nationals Lineup
1. Denard Span, CF
2. Anthony Rendon, 3B
3. Ryan Zimmerman, LF
4. Adam LaRoche, 1B
5. Ian Desmond, SS
6. Kevin Frandsen, 2B
7. Nate McLouth, RF
8. Jose Lobaton, C
9. Blake Treinen, P
Chicago Cubs Lineup
1. Chris Coghlan, LF
2. Ryan Sweeney, CF
3. Anthony Rizzo, 1B
4. Starlin Castro, SS
5. Luis Valbuena, 3B
6. Welington Castillo, C
7. Nate Schierholtz, RF
8. Darwin Barney, 2B
9. Jeff Samardzija, P