Sometimes it’s helpful to think about a game like this from the perspective of a baseball fan – not a Cubs fan or Pirates fan – who decides to watch tonight. They’d probably be thinking this is a hell of a pitching matchup, featuring two of the best starters in the game today, and squaring off against exciting, athletic lineups with the ability to score in bunches and make huge plays in the field. It’s going to be a great representation of the upside in the NL Central, and just how good these teams have been.
… unless something crazy happens, because it’s baseball and it’s just one game.
For me, I’m going to continue to try – you’ve probably noticed for the last several days now that I’ve been public coaching myself – to enjoy the night. This is special. This is supposed to be fun. This doesn’t happen every day or week or month or even year. I’ll get high. I’ll get low. And, at the end of it, I hope I can say it was a great experience.
And what happens tomorrow, we leave to tomorrow.
Go Jake. Go bats. Go D. Go Cubs. #FlyTheW
Game Info
Chicago Cubs at Pittsburgh Pirates, 7:08 CT on TBS.
Game Thread
Your game thread is down there in the comments, so have fun.
Starting Pitchers
Jake Arrieta (1.77 ERA, 2.35 FIP, 2.61 xFIP; 4.92 K/BB)
versus
Gerrit Cole (2.60 ERA, 2.66 FIP, 3.16 xFIP; 4.59 K/BB)
Pittsburgh Pirates Lineup
1. Gregory Polanco, RF
2. Josh Harrison, 3B
3. Andrew McCutchen, CF
4. Starling Marte, LF
5. Francisco Cervelli, C
6. Neil Walker, 2B
7. Jordy Mercer, SS
8. Sean Rodriguez, 1B
9. Gerrit Cole, P
Chicago Cubs Lineup
1. Dexter Fowler, CF
2. Kyle Schwarber, RF
3. Kris Bryant, LF
4. Anthony Rizzo, 1B
5. Tommy La Stella, 3B
6. Starlin Castro, 2B
7. Miguel Montero, C
8. Addison Russell, SS
9. Jake Arrieta, P