NEWSLETTER
It was a busy day with respect to things that impact tonight’s game. The Padres traded Chase Headley. The Cubs officially called up Kyle Hendricks to make his second start. The Cubs activated Emilio Bonifacio from the DL. The Cubs DFA’d Darwin Barney.
The game was never going to be played under potentially earth-shaking circumstances, but it does now have a slightly different tone. I imagine Barney will be missed by his teammates, too.
As for Bonifacio, he gets immediately back into the lineup, at second base, with Arismendy Alcantara heading to center field. Let’s be honest: a really great week from Bonifacio could put the Cubs in a nice position to shop him on the 30th and 31st. I know it sounds cold and calculating, but that’s where we are in the season.
Hopefully Hendricks picks up where he left off in Cincinnati, which was looking really great after that first inning of nerves and tight strikes.
The Cubs face a lefty tonight, so Mike Olt and Junior Lake get a start.
Game Info
San Diego Padres (43-55) at Chicago Cubs (40-57), 7:05 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
Eric Stults (4.98 ERA, 5.23 FIP, 4.37 xFIP; 2.57 K/BB)
versus
Kyle Hendricks (6.00 ERA, 4.98 FIP, 3.87 xFIP; 2.33 K/BB)
San Diego Padres Lineup
1. Will Venable, CF
2. Alexei Amarista, SS
3. Seth Smith, LF
4. Yasmani Grandal, C
5. Chris Nelson, 3B
6. Jake Goebbert, 1B
7. Chris Denorfia, RF
8. Brooks Conrad, 2B
9. Eric Stults, P
Chicago Cubs Lineup
1. Emilio Bonifacio, 2B
2. Arismendy Alcantara, CF
3. Anthony Rizzo, 1B
4. Starlin Castro, SS
5. Justin Ruggiano, RF
6. Welington Castillo, C
7. Junior Lake, LF
8. Mike Olt, 3B
9. Kyle Hendricks, P
