Big game. Morning baseball. Fun day.
The Cubs go for the series win today against the Pirates, and with it would come a mere two-game deficit for the top Wild Card spot and the attendant home field advantage. A loss and the deficit is four games, and very difficult to overcome (and, of course, it becomes all the more crazy to dream on an NL Central miracle).
Kyle Hendricks will look to give the Cubs a solid, long-ish outing, and the Cubs’ bats will try to elevate the ball against sinker-baller Charlie Morton.
Who’s more tired after last night’s 12-inning game? We shall see.
Game Info
Chicago Cubs (84-61) at Pittsburgh Pirates (87-58), 11:35 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
Kyle Hendricks (4.08 ERA, 3.47 FIP, 3.48 xFIP; 3.34 K/BB)
versus
Charlie Morton (4.02 ERA, 4.00 FIP, 3.84 xFIP; 2.30 K/BB)
Pittsburgh Pirates Lineup
1. Gregory Polanco, RF
2. Starling Marte, CF
3. Neil Walker, 2B
4. Jung-Ho Kang, SS
5. Pedro Alvarez, 1B
6. Francisco Cervelli, C
7. Travis Snider, LF
8. Josh Harrison, 3B
9. Charlie Morton, 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. Addison Russell, SS
8. Kyle Hendricks, P
9. Tommy La Stella, 2B