Let’s play two!
We’ll try this again tonight, with the Cubs playing a natural doubleheader in Philadelphia. This is the first game, and the second will come (almost) immediately thereafter.
The Cubs are scheduled to face an inexperienced, struggling lefty with a lineup loaded with talented righties (and Anthony Rizzo). Jake Arrieta is the hottest pitcher in baseball, and he’ll be pitching against a weak lineup.
On paper, this is the most winnable game the Cubs have had all year to date.
But then, a couple of the games these two teams played in Chicago a couple months ago probably fell into that category, too. And the Cubs were swept. So, yeah, I’m not counting on anything. That’s the funny thing about baseball: even the most optimal match-up is what, a 70:30 proposition?
Game Info
Chicago Cubs (80-58) at Philadelphia Phillies (54-86), 4:05 CT on CSN and on 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 (2.03 ERA, 2.46 FIP, 2.73 xFIP; 4.48 K/BB)
versus
Adam Morgan (4.42 ERA, 5.33 FIP, 5.28 xFIP; 2.56 K/BB)
Philadelphia Phillies Lineup
1. Cesar Hernandez, 2B
2. Freddy Galvis, SS
3. Odubel Herrera, CF
4. Jeff Francoeur, LF
5. Ryan Howard, 1B
6. Aaron Altherr, RF
7. Cody Asche, 3B
8. Carlos Ruiz, C
9. Adam Morgan, P
Chicago Cubs Lineup
1. Dexter Fowler, CF
2. Austin Jackson, RF
3. Kris Bryant, LF
4. Anthony Rizzo, 1B
5. Starlin Castro, 2B
6. Javy Baez, 3B
7. David Ross, C
8. Jake Arrieta, P
9. Addison Russell, SS