NEWSLETTER
The Cubs bookended their series against the Rays with highs – the energy of Javier Baez’s home debut and then a walk-off, 12th inning victor – but the in-between saw the club mostly dominated by the Rays, especially in the K/BB department. The Cubs struck out 44 times over the three-game series, and walked just twice. That’d be hard to pull off even if you were trying to do it.
We’re Going Streaking
The Cubs won yesterday after losing twice to the Rays. They’d won the three series before that, though.
The Brewers have quietly been scuffling for a very long time. Although they lead the Central by 2 games over the Cardinals, their recent two series wins were just their second and third since late June.
Game Times and Broadcasts
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: Jake Arrieta (2.80 ERA, 2.24 FIP; 3.89 K/BB), Kyle Hendricks (2.10 ERA, 3.45 FIP; 2.63 K/BB), Tsuyoshi Wada (3.25 ERA, 3.35 FIP; 2.78 K/BB), Edwin Jackson (5.61 ERA, 4.18 FIP; 2.09 K/BB)
Lineup:
- Chris Coghlan, LF
- Javier Baez, 2B
- Anthony Rizzo, 1B
- Starlin Castro, SS
- Luis Valbuena, 3B
- Arismendy Alcantara, CF
- Ryan Sweeney/Justin Ruggiano, RF
- Welington Castillo, C
- Pitcher
Brewers
Starters: Yovani Gallardo (3.54 ERA, 3.89 FIP; 2.79 K/BB), Wily Peralta (3.42 ERA, 4.19 FIP; 2.63 K/BB), Kyle Lohse (3.33 ERA, 3.79 FIP; 3.36 K/BB), Mike Fiers (1.80 ERA, 4.33 FIP; 2.50 K/BB)
Lineup:
- Carlos Gomez, CF Jean Segura, SS
- Jonathan Lucroy, C
- Ryan Braun, RF
- Aramis Ramirez, 3B
- Khris Davis, LF
- Scooter Gennett/Rickie Weeks, 2B
- Mark Reynolds, 1B
- Jean Segura, SS
- Pitcher
Hot or Not and Whom to Watch
Hopefully Jake Arrieta bounces back from the blip in Colorado, where he was torched by the Rockies.
It’s mostly been a down year at the plate for Welington Castillo, but he’s put together a nice .250/.400/.417 line in August so far.
Can Tsuyoshi Wada and Kyle Hendricks keep it up? That’s the question pretty much every time they take the mound.
Javy Watch: .276/.276/.621 with a 41.4% K rate.
Aramis Ramirez is back for the Brewers, which he was not the last time these two times squared off. So it’s another opportunity for Ramirez to come back to Wrigley, and maybe get a little love for his great years here.
It’s been a great year to be on the Brewers’ offense. All of Jonathan Lucroy, Aramis Ramirez, Carlos Gomez, Ryan Braun, and Scooter Gennett have wRC+ of at least 120. And Khris Davis is just behind at 116. Hell, even Rickie Weeks is at 109 in part-time duty.
