Addison Russell gets two debuts, unlike Kris Bryant – the road version and the home version. Tonight is the latter for the 21-year-old infielder. Still no pressure, young man. Just do your thing.
Jason Hammel faces the Pirates in a redux of last week, when he was actually pretty decent, but the ball kept finding grass.
I’m a bit surprised to see Jorge Soler in the lineup again today. That probably sounds like a strange sentence. What I mean is, having played every game so far, and given his extremely cold recent stretch – plus his injury history – today felt like the right day for a day off. Maybe it’ll come soon.
Last week, the Cubs forced Vance Worley to throw a million pitches in the early going, but weren’t able to really capitalize (and he sure did strike a lot of guys out).
UPDATE: Gregory Polanco has been scratched.
Game Info
Chicago Cubs (10-7) at Pittsburgh Pirates (11-8), 7:05 CT on CSN+, and MLB.tv.
Game Thread and Series Preview
Your game thread is down there in the comments, so have fun.
The Series Preview lives here.
Starting Pitchers
Jason Hammel (5.19 ERA, 3.80 FIP, 3.25 xFIP; 16.00 K/BB)
versus
Vance Worley (4.00 ERA, 3.44 FIP, 4.13 xFIP; 1.88 K/BB)
Pittsburgh Pirates Lineup
1. Josh Harrison, 3B
2. Gregory Polanco Andrew Lambo, RF
3. Andrew McCutchen, CF
4. Neil Walker, 2B
5. Starling Marte, LF
6. Pedro Alvarez, 1B
7. Francisco Cervelli, C
8. Jordy Mercer, SS
9. Vance Worley, P
Chicago Cubs Lineup
1. Dexter Fowler, CF
2. Jorge Soler, RF
3. Anthony Rizzo, 1B
4. Kris Bryant, 3B
5. Miguel Montero, C
6. Starlin Castro, SS
7. Chris Coghlan, LF
8. Jason Hammel, P
9. Addison Russell, 2B