Series Preview: Padres v. Cubs, April 17 – April 19, 2015

Kris Bryant is here, and the Chicago Cubs can use him. Not that he’s a savior, mind you. That would be unreasonable to expect … and the Cubs were already winning.

We’re Going Streaking

The Cubs took two of three from the Reds after taking two of three from the Rockies, and stand at 5-3, first place in the NL Central.

The Padres brought in a bunch of ringers this offseason, and they just took two of three from the Diamondbacks after taking three of four from the Giants. Such as we can say these things this early in the year, the Padres are as hot as the Cubs.

Game Times and Broadcasts

And, if you’re not in the blackout region, you can always watch on MLB.tv.

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: Jason Hammel (4.50 ERA, 3.16 FIP; 6.00 K/BB),Kyle Hendricks (10.38 ERA, 2.30 FIP; 3.00 K/BB), Jon Lester (7.84 ERA, 1.63 FIP; 5.00 K/BB)

Lineup:

1. Dexter Fowler, CF
2. Jorge Soler, RF
3. Anthony Rizzo, 1B
4. Kris Bryant, 3B
5. Chris Coghlan, LF
6. Starlin Castro, SS
7. Miguel Montero/David Ross/Welington Castillo, C
8. Pitcher
9. Arismendy Alcantara, 2B

Padres

Starters: James Shields (2.08 ERA, 3.83 FIP; 5.00 K/BB),Tyson Ross (3.75 ERA, 2.74 FIP; 1.71 K/BB), Andrew Cashner (4.09 ERA, 4.90 FIP; 3.75 K/BB)

Lineup:

1. Wil Myers, CF
2. Derek Norris, C
3. Matt Kemp, RF
4. Justin Upton, LF
5. Yonder Alonso, 1B
6. Will Middlebrooks, 3B
7. Jedd Gyorko/Yangervis Solarte, 2B
8. Alexei Amarista, SS
9. Pitcher

Hot or Not and Whom to Watch

It’s taking everything I have not to just scream KRIS BRYANT over and over here.

Chris Coghlan’s 200 wRC+ continues to lead the Cubs’ regulars, and with three righties on the mound this weekend, he’ll get to play all three games.

Anthony Rizzo, Starlin Castro, Jorge Soler, and Dexter Fowler are all having above-average offensive numbers so far this year.

Kyle Hendricks will look to bounce back from a rough season debut in Colorado, though he’ll get no favors from a Padres lineup that now has a lot of thunder at the top.

Speaking of which, all of Justin Upton, Matt Kemp, Yangervis Solarte, and Yonder Alonso have been killing it for the Padres so far.

The Cubs get three of the Padres’ best starters in this one, so let’s hope the bats are ready.

Which reminds me … BRYANT BRYANT BRYYYYYYAAAAAAANNNNNNNTTTT!!!!!