The wins and losses, as we wind down to the end of the season, matter very little, but you’d still like to see the Cubs playing well against good teams.
Perhaps that’ll get back into that today, with a decent lineup to face Roberto Hernandez. If Felix Doubront pitches well, today’s game is very winnable.
Speaking of Doubront, he’s been unquestionably effective with the Cubs so far, though he does allow a lot of balls in play. One of these games, that’s probably going to bite him, but, as with many of these guys, we’re not looking for him to emerge as an ace. Just a plausible back-end option for 2015. Which, so far, so good.
Game Info
Los Angeles Dodgers (88-66) at Chicago Cubs (68-86), 12:05 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
Fausto Carmona (4.06 ERA, 4.74 FIP, 4.48 xFIP; 1.46 K/BB)
versus
Felix Doubront (5.00 ERA, 4.78 FIP, 4.76 xFIP; 1.63 K/BB (Red Sox and Cubs))
Los Angeles Dodgers Lineup
1. Dee Gordon, 2B
2. Yasiel Puig, RF
3. Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
4. Matt Kemp CF
5. Hanley Ramirez, SS
6. Justin Turner, 3B
7. Scot Van Slyke, LF
8. Drew Butera, C
9. Roberto Hernandez, P
Chicago Cubs Lineup
1. Chris Coghlan, LF
2. Javier Baez, 2B
3. Anthony Rizzo, 1B
4. Jorge Soler, RF
5. Luis Valbuena, 3B
6. Arismendy Alcantara, CF
7. Logan Watkins, 2B
8. John Baker, C
9. Felix Doubront, P