Jake Arrieta will have to be the Cubs’ stopper, and he’ll have to do it against a really good team – one featuring newly-returned infielder Anthony Rendon.
Despite the inflated ERA, Gio Gonzalez has pretty much been the exact same pitcher he was last year when he was “very good.” The only difference? He’s giving up a ton more groundballs and they’re finding holes (.379 BABIP versus career .292). I wouldn’t expect the troubles to last, but let’s hope the Cubs don’t offer him the start of the positive regression.
Game Info
Chicago Cubs (27-24) atWashington Nationals (29-24), 6:05 CT on WGN-9 (or your local affiliate), MLBN, 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
Jake Arrieta (3.18 ERA, 2.90 FIP, 2.72 xFIP; 4.79 K/BB)
versus
Gio Gonzalez (4.73 ERA, 3.05 FIP, 3.20 xFIP; 2.67 K/BB)
Washington Nationals Lineup
1. Denard Span, CF
2. Anthony Rendon, 2B
3. Yunel Escobar, 3B
4. Bryce Harper, RF
5. Ryan Zimmerman, 1B
6. Ian Desmond, SS
7. Jose Lobaton, C
8. Michael Taylor, LF
9. Gio Gonzalez, P
Chicago Cubs Lineup
1. Dexter Fowler, CF
2. Kris Bryant, 3B
3. Anthony Rizzo, 1B
4. Junior Lake, RF
5. Starlin Castro, SS
6. Matt Szczur, LF
7. David Ross, C
8. Jake Arrieta, P
9. Addison Russell, 2B