NEWSLETTER
Interleague action in an AL park for the Cubs, even if it’s only for two games. Should still be fun.
We’re Going Streaking
Naturally, the Cubs went into Washington having just lost a series to the woeful Marlins and took three of four from the Nationals. Because baseball. The Cubs are five games over .500 at 30-25 right now, which, all things considered, I’d totally take.
The Tigers managed to win their final two games against the White Sox this weekend, which ended an eight-game losing streak. At 30-28, the Tigers are third in the AL Central, right now.
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: Jon Lester (3.86 ERA, 3.76 FIP; 3.61 K/BB), Jake Arrieta (3.04 ERA, 2.77 FIP; 5.36 K/BB)
Lineup:
- Dexter Fowler, CF
- Anthony Rizzo, 1B
- Kris Bryant, 3B
- Miguel Montero, C
- Junior Lake, RF
- Starlin Castro, SS
- Chris Coghlan, LF
- Chris Denorfia, DH/LF/RF
- Addison Russell, 2B
Tigers
Starters: Anibal Sanchez (5.69 ERA, 4.50 FIP; 3.00 K/BB), Shane Greene (5.40 ERA, 4.47 FIP; 2.28 K/BB)
Lineup:
- Anthony Gose, CF
- Ian Kinsler, 2B
- Miguel Cabrera, 1B
- Yoenis Cespedes, LF
- J.D. Martinez, RF
- Tyler Collins, DH
- Nick Castellanos, 3B
- James McCann, C
- Jose Iglesias, SS
Hot or Not and Whom to Watch
The Tigers get to face the Cubs’ nominal top two starters in this short series, though Jon Lester hasn’t quite performed as well as Jason Hammel this year. Lester’s last time out was a clunker in Miami. Hopefully that’s quickly behind him.
Anthony Rizzo video game number check: .332/.449/.608. That would have been a very good line back in 2000. In this era? It’s nuts.
After a couple nice games filling in for Starlin Castro and Addison Russell, Jonathan Herrera has his wRC+ up to 37. Yes, that means the average big league bat is 63% better than his.
Since I’m guessing he’ll see starts in both of these games, either in the field or as DH, here’s hoping Chris Denorfia keeps up his .667 BABIP for two more games.
Remember when the Cubs almost signed Anibal Sanchez? And it was a disaster? Then it looked even worse than that? Then it was mostly fine? He’s struggling with the walks and the long-ball this season.
Outside of Joakim Soria and Joba Chamberlain, the Tigers haven’t gotten a whole lot out of their bullpen this year, not unlike many recent years.
Miguel Cabrera (.320/.427/.558) and Yoenis Cespedes (.300/.332/.500) are doing about what you’d expect, but how about glove-heavy Jose Iglesias: .331/.382/.413
