If the Cubs’ pitchers can cut their walks by about 70% tonight, that would be excellent.
Last night was a total walk-fest, and it is incumbent upon tonight’s starter, Edwin Jackson, to work in the zone with his best stuff tonight. That’s not only so that the Cubs might win this series, but also so that the Cubs could have options with respect to Jackson at the deadline. He’s got two starts left before July 31, and, in a market absolutely starved for reasonable pitching options that can actually be dealt, it remains conceivable that the Cubs could move Jackson. Do I think it will happen? No. Am I terribly upset about that? Not really. I still think there’s a future for Jackson with the Cubs, in the right role, and there’s not an absolute need to dump him right now.
But, as I say: it would be nice to have options. Jackson’s next two starts won’t change any minds in 180 degrees, but it could add a little color on one side or the other.
Game Info
San Diego Padres (44-56) at Chicago Cubs (41-58), 7:05 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
Tyson Ross (2.70 ERA, 3.26 FIP, 3.07 xFIP; 2.87 K/BB)
versus
Edwin Jackson (5.61 ERA, 4.27 FIP, 3.95 xFIP; 2.04 K/BB)
San Diego Padres Lineup
1. Alexei Amarista, SS
2. Yangervis Solarte, 2B
3. Seth Smith, RF
4. Yasmani Grandal, 1B
5. Will Venable, CF
6. Jake Goebbert, LF
7. Chris Nelson, 3B
8. Rene Rivera, C
9. Tyson Ross, P
Chicago Cubs Lineup
1. Emilio Bonifacio, CF
2. Arismendy Alcantara, 2B
3. Anthony Rizzo, 1B
4. Starlin Castro, SS
5. Chris Coghlan, LF
6. Luis Valbuena, 3B
7. Ryan Sweeney, RF
8. John Baker, C
9. Edwin Jackson, P