Series Preview: Rays v. Cubs, August 8 – August 10, 2014

tampa bay rays logoIt’s not *just* the presence of Javier Baez, you know.

Although he’s certainly the shiny new toy, and very (very!) deserving of attention, there’s something more to the excitement and buzz building about the Cubs that will make the energy at this series special. I suppose the best way I can describe it is that there seems to be an impending relevance to the Cubs. They matter again. And they’re going to matter more and more as the next several months and years go by.

Like I said before, I don’t think it’s reasonable (or fair to Javy) to call Baez’s arrival THE turning point for the franchise. It’s a process. But this time – this week, this series, this whatever – is something we’ll look back on in a few years. And we’ll remember how it felt to experience things in the middle of turning.

We’re Going Streaking

The Cubs are on fire! At least against the Rockies and Dodgers. They’ve won three straight series, and 7 of 10 games overall.

The Rays were baseball’s hottest team in July, but have cooled a bit, dropping both of their August series. While they won’t be making a playoff push, especially not after a trading away at the deadline, they should wind up respectable after an ugly start.

Game Times and Broadcasts

  • Friday, August 8 at 3:05 CT on WGN.
  • Saturday, August 9 at 3:05 CT on WGN.
  • Sunday, August 10 at 1:20 CT on CSN.
  • Expected Starters and Lineups

    These lineups are likely to be pretty close to what actually gets fielded, but you’ll want to check each day’s Pre-Gamin’ post for the actual lineup.

    Cubs

    Starters: Tsuyoshi Wada (3.32 ERA, 3.23 FIP; 2.38 K/BB), Edwin Jackson (5.66 ERA, 4.21 FIP; 2.15 K/BB), Travis Wood (5.08 ERA, 4.20 FIP; 1.90 K/BB)

    Lineup:

    1. Chris Coghlan, LF
    2. Javier Baez, 2B
    3. Anthony Rizzo, 1B
    4. Starlin Castro, SS
    5. Luis Valbuena, 3B
    6. Arismendy Alcantara, CF
    7. Ryan Sweeney/Justin Ruggiano, RF
    8. Welington Castillo, C
    9. Pitcher

    Rays

    Starters: Chris Archer (3.42 ERA, 3.25 FIP; 2.29 K/BB), Jake Odorizzi (4.09 ERA, 3.45 FIP; 2.89 K/BB), Alex Cobb (3.52 ERA, 3.58 FIP; 3.00 K/BB)

    Lineup:

    1. Desmond Jennings, CF
    2. Ben Zobrist, 2B
    3. Matt Joyce, LF
    4. Evan Longoria, 3B
    5. James Loney, 1B
    6. Yunel Escobar, SS
    7. Kevin Kiermaier, RF
    8. Jose Molina, C
    9. Pitcher

    Hot or Not and Whom to Watch

    All eyes will be on Javier Baez, and hopefully he does something fun for the folks this weekend.

    Anthony Rizzo returns after a day off, which came after an 11-game cool stretch: .250/.327/.292. Note that he still takes his walks.

    I’m eager to see Tsuyoshi Wada once again. He’s been steady (just like Kyle Hendricks) as a possible back-end guy, but the Cubs are really loading up on those types, and there’s going to be something of a fierce competition for starts next year.

    We can all watch Chris Archer and (probably) pine for what might have been.

    Kevin Kiermaier has really come on for the Rays, hitting .288/.341/.517 on the year.

    It’s been a really down year for erstwhile stud third baseman Evan Longoria, who is hitting just .256/.333/.398 with a 106 wRC+.

    Off the bench, popular former Cub David DeJesus is hitting .269/.367/.440 for the Rays, and I say good for him.

    written by

    Brett Taylor is the Lead Cubs Writer at Bleacher Nation, and you can find him on Twitter at @BleacherNation and on LinkedIn here. Brett is also the founder of Bleacher Nation, which opened up shop in 2008 as an independent blog about the Chicago Cubs. Later growing to incorporate coverage of other Chicago sports, Bleacher Nation is now one of the largest regional sports blogs on the web.

    more cubs news

    The Cubs Are Among the Most Returning-y Teams

    I am still mostly incapacitated at the moment, so apologies for the short shrift on such an otherwise blessed day. In between pokes and prods, I wanted to share a chart I saw that was pretty interesting, even if unsurprising:...

    Maybe the Cubs Are the Favorites in the NL Central, After All?

    ESPN was the first to throw some love the Cubs way this week, with an overwhelming majority of their writers, analysts, and editors picking the Chicago Cubs to win the NL Central in 2024. But the love doesn't end there....

    The Season Begins, Love for Morel, Counsell’s Value, and Other Cubs Bullets

    You know where you want to spend your Opening Day morning? The hospital! Suffice to say, this is not how I imagined getting HYPED for the Cubs' opener. I guess I'll just have to think about all the possible lineup...

    Cubs vs Rangers: The First Series of the Year!

    Cubs vs Rangers — THE REGULAR SEASON IS HERE! Wake up and rejoice. Later tonight, the Cubs will begin their march toward October Baseball against the (reigning World Series champion) Texas Rangers in Arlington. Justin Steele is getting the nod...

    The 2024 Chicago Cubs for Dummies

    Boom. We made it. The offseason is over, and the Cubs regular season - and those elevated expectations - begins tomorrow. But in case you slept through the winter, I'm here to catch you up on everything you need to...

    I’m Expecting More This Year, Cubs — It’s Time to Start Winning

    There's no way around it: The Chicago Cubs did *not* have the offseason we hoped they might after making Craig Counsell the highest paid manager in MLB history. Not that they did poorly, mind you. Cody Bellinger, Shota Imanaga, and...

    I Dug Deep on the Cubs 2024 Schedule (And I Like What I See)

    Finally, with Cody Bellinger in the fold, we can start focusing more seriously on the season ahead. So today, I thought we'd take a look at the Cubs 2024 schedule. You can flip through the Cubs 2024 schedule right here...

    Here’s What I’m Betting on the Cubs for Opening Day

    I get it. Sports betting isn't for everyone — like, say, the interpreter for an international baseball superstar — but some of us quite enjoy it! If you are one of those people, this article is for you. Below, I'm...

    WAKE UP, BASEBALL IS BACK

    The day has arrived. Opening Day. The most glorious day on the baseball calendar, save for the day of each Chicago Cubs World Series win, of course. See, I get to say things like that on Opening Day. Maybe the...

    Wrigley Field is Gonna Be Lit This Year (As in New Colored Lights!)

    Last year, the Cubs started using their new LED outfield lights to do a little dancing display during 'Go Cubs Go,' lighting along with the song and throwing in a W. It was very fun and I liked it. This...

    Latest News

    Diamondbacks vs. Rockies Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, March 28, 2024

    The Arizona Diamondbacks open their season as -231 favorites in a home matchup with the Colorado Rockies on Thursday at 10:10 PM ET, live on ARID.Arizona's Zac Gallen and Colorado's Kyle Freeland have been named the starters for this contest.Diamondbacks...

    Mariners vs. Red Sox Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, March 28, 2024

    The Seattle Mariners begin their season as -162 favorites in a home tilt against the Boston Red Sox on Thursday at 10:10 PM ET, live on NESN.Luis Castillo starts for Seattle while Brayan Bello is Boston's starter for the contest.Mariners...

    Guardians vs. Athletics Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, March 28, 2024

    The Cleveland Guardians start their season as road favorites (-156) in a matchup with the Oakland Athletics on Thursday at 10:07 PM ET, live on NBCS-CA from Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.Shane Bieber gets the starting nod for Cleveland while Alex Wood...

    Damian Lillard Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Pelicans – Thursday, March 28, 2024

    To beat his 3-point prop, Damian Lillard must make four from downtown on Thursday, when his Milwaukee Bucks face the New Orleans Pelicans, tipping off at 8:00 PM ET.Damian Lillard's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the PelicansDamian Lillard's over/under for three-pointers...

    Brook Lopez Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Pelicans – Thursday, March 28, 2024

    To beat his 3-point prop, Brook Lopez needs to make two from downtown on Thursday, when his Milwaukee Bucks meet the New Orleans Pelicans, starting at 8:00 PM ET.Brook Lopez's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the PelicansBrook Lopez's over/under for three-pointers...

    Giannis Antetokounmpo Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Pelicans – Thursday, March 28, 2024

    Will Giannis Antetokounmpo make just a single 3-pointer when the Milwaukee Bucks play the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday at 8:00 PM ET? If so, he'll beat his over/under for the game.Giannis Antetokounmpo's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the PelicansGiannis Antetokounmpo's...

    CJ McCollum Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Bucks – Thursday, March 28, 2024

    To beat his 3-point over/under, CJ McCollum must make four from downtown on Thursday, when his New Orleans Pelicans play the Milwaukee Bucks, beginning at 8:00 PM ET.CJ McCollum's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the BucksCJ McCollum's over/under for three-pointers in...

    Devils vs. Sabres Prediction: Live Odds, Stats, History and Picks – Friday, March 29, 2024

    The bookmakers are expecting a close game between the New Jersey Devils and Buffalo Sabres when they clash on Friday at 7:00 PM ET, with the Devils at -115 on the moneyline, and the Sabres at -105.Devils vs. Sabres Favorite,...

    Guardians vs. Athletics Probable Starting Pitchers – March 28

    The Cleveland Guardians (0-0) and the Oakland Athletics (0-0) match up on Thursday at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum for Opening Day. First pitch is at 10:07 PM ET.The Guardians will give the nod to Shane Bieber versus the Athletics and Alex...

    Mariners vs. Red Sox Probable Starting Pitchers – March 28

    The Boston Red Sox (0-0) visit the Seattle Mariners (0-0) in an Opening Day game at 10:10 PM ET on Thursday.The Mariners will give the nod to Luis Castillo against the Red Sox and Brayan Bello.Mariners vs. Red Sox Pitcher...

    more cubs news