Feels like a good day for a playoff clincher, eh?
If the Cubs are going to do it today, they’ll have to beat the guy they’ll probably have to beat in the Wild Card Game: Gerrit Cole.
I suppose they don’t have to beat him to win the game, though the Pirates’ bullpen isn’t really much worse than Cole, and he’s damn good. I wonder how much he’ll show the Cubs – and how much today’s lineup will mirror the Wild Card Game lineup he’ll face. Gamesmanship is the word of the day.
And also clinch. That’s probably a bigger word. Even though it’s smaller. Don’t get nitpicky.
Hope to see some of you in the right field bleachers today. I’ll be wearing a blue and red tie dye shirt, and blue and yellow shoes. Say hey.
Game Info
Chicago Cubs (89-63) at Pittsburgh Pirates (93-60), 1:20 CT on ABC-7 (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
Gerrit Cole (2.64 ERA, 2.64 FIP, 3.13 xFIP; 4.57 K/BB)
versus
Jon Lester (3.46 ERA, 3.07 FIP, 3.13 xFIP; 4.09 K/BB)
Pittsburgh Pirates Lineup
(This is an old lineup, because the Pirates haven’t announced theirs yet and I’ve got to head out to the game.)
1. Josh Harrison, 2B
2. Starling Marte, LF
3. Andrew McCutchen, CF
4. Aramis Ramirez, 3B
5. Francisco Cervelli, C
6. Michael Morse, 1B
7. Sean Rodriguez, RF
8. Pedro Florimon, SS
9. Gerrit Cole, P
Chicago Cubs Lineup
1. Dexter Fowler, CF
2. Kyle Schwarber, LF
3. Kris Bryant, 3B
4. Anthony Rizzo, 1B
5. Chris Coghlan, RF
6. Addison Russell, SS
7. David Ross, C
8. Jon Lester, P
9. Tommy La Stella, 2B