Did you chug your coffee? This one starts at 10:15pm where I am, so, you know … no promises.
The Cubs and Giants kick off yet another huge series. The former comes into tonight’s game with a 6.5 game lead over the latter in the Wild Card race. A win or two in San Francisco, and the Cubs probably direct the Giants’ focus onto the NL West race exclusively and permanently.
Jake Arrieta looks to keep the good times rollin’ as the Cubs face Matt Cain for the second time in a couple weeks. Addison Russell (tight groin, had a baby) is out of the starting lineup again, though Joe Maddon indicated he was theoretically going to be available off of the bench if needed tonight. On the balance, I wouldn’t expect to see Russell until tomorrow at the earliest, though.
Game Info
Chicago Cubs (72-51) at San Francisco Giants (66-58), 9:15 CT on WGN-9 (or your local affiliate) 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 (2.30 ERA, 2.64 FIP, 2.85 xFIP; 4.05 K/BB)
versus
Matt Cain (5.66 ERA, 5.31 FIP, 4.73 xFIP; 2.33 K/BB)
San Francisco Giants Lineup
1. Nori Aoki, LF
2. Matt Duffy, 3B
3. Brandon Belt, 1B
4. Buster Posey, C
5. Brandon Crawford, SS
6. Marlon Byrd, RF
7. Gregor Blanco, CF
8. Ehire Adrianza, 2B
9. Matt Cain, P
Chicago Cubs Lineup
1. Dexter Fowler, CF
2. Kyle Schwarber, LF
3. Chris Coghlan, RF
4. Anthony Rizzo, 1B
5. Kris Bryant, 3B
6. Miguel Montero, C
7. Starlin Castro, SS
8. Jake Arrieta, P
9. Tommy La Stella, 2B