NEWSLETTER
The Cubs go for the sweep tonight, as well as a five-game winning streak. The Cubs can lose tonight, and still be four games over .500. When could you last say something like that?
It’s a tough assignment, though, as the Cubs draw hard-throwing righty Gerrit Cole on a night when the weather is once again expected to favor pitchers. Hopefully Kyle Hendricks – the third straight Cubs pitcher facing the Pirates in back-to-back starts – can take advantage, and do to the Pirates what Jason Hammel and Travis Wood did to them the last two nights.
Addison Russell gets the day off against the tough righty. With the off-day tomorrow, he gets a couple days rest after a whirlwind first week in the big leagues. I dig that. I’m actually surprised the Cubs haven’t rested more of the regulars yet to this point.
On the other side, Josh Harrison gets a day off. Definitely also fine by me.
Game Info
Chicago Cubs (12-7) at Pittsburgh Pirates (11-10), 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
Gerrit Cole (2.19 ERA, 2.33 FIP, 2.50 xFIP; 3.86 K/BB)
versus
Kyle Hendricks (5.74 ERA, 3.33 FIP, 3.19 xFIP; 13.00 K/BB)
Pittsburgh Pirates Lineup
1. Gregory Polanco, RF
2. Jordy Mercer, SS
3. Andrew McCutchen, CF
4. Neil Walker, 2B
5. Starling Marte, LF
6. Pedro Alvarez, 1B
7. Jung-Ho Kang, 3B
8. Chris Stewart, C
9. Gerrit Cole, 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. Kyle Hendricks, P
9. Jonathan Herrera, 2B
