Crazy games yields crazy roster requirements, and so it is today with the Cubs and their 14(!) pitchers. The bench is Jonathan Herrera, Welington Castillo, and Miguel Montero. Full stop. That’s it.
Let’s hope Jon Lester throws a gem, the positional starters all stay healthy, and the Cubs somehow break through against Gerrit Cole sufficient that bench bats aren’t necessary. It’s a lot to hope for.
Perhaps, then, we should just hope for the Cubs to really make Cole work. He dominated them last time out – because he’s very good – but if the Cubs can get him out after, say, six innings tops, they’ll get into that equally-trashed Pirates bullpen.
There’s a five-game winning streak on the line, y’all.
Game Info
Pittsburgh Pirates (17-19) at Chicago Cubs (20-15), 3:05 CT on ABC-7 (or your local affiliate), FoxSports1 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 (2.32 ERA, 2.63 FIP, 2.91 xFIP; 3.75 K/BB)
versus
Jon Lester (4.10 ERA, 3.41 FIP, 3.40 xFIP; 3.33 K/BB)
Pittsburgh Pirates Lineup
1. Josh Harrison, 3B
2. Neil Walker, 2B
3. Andrew McCutchen, CF
4. Starling Marte, LF
5. Jung-Ho Kang, SS
6. Corey Hart, 1B
7. Sean Rodriguez, RF
8. Chris Stewart, C
9. Gerrit Cole, P
Chicago Cubs Lineup
1. Dexter Fowler, CF
2. Kris Bryant, 3B
3. Anthony Rizzo, 1B
4. Starlin Castro, SS
5. Chris Coghlan, LF
6. Jorge Soler, RF
7. David Ross, C
8. Jon Lester, P
9. Addison Russell, 2B