Yesterday, the Chicago Cubs lost the final game of their series with the St. Louis Cardinals, but they took the first two before that, and thus the series win, overall.
Today, they’re making their way to Great American Ball Park, in a four game rematch against the Cincinnati Reds. Last time these two teams met, the Chicago Cubs swept the Reds in three straight at Wrigley Field.
Today’s starting pitcher for the Reds – Brandon Finnegan – started the first game of the last series, too. And if you recall, he actually kept a no-hitter going well into the 7th inning, before the Cubs bats finally broke through. When all was said and done, Finnegan’s line read: 6.2 IP, 2ER, 1H, 5BBs, 5Ks.
The Cub who broke up that no-hitter was non-other than David Ross – who grabs a rare start tonight for someone other than Jon Lester. Indeed, with Ross catching Arrieta tonight and Jon Lester scheduled to pitch tomorrow, it looks like we’ll get Ross for two straight days. Offensively, that might be frustrating (Finnegan has reverse splits), but defensively Ross has been nails. Last time out, he nailed two would-be base stealers and nearly got a third.
Starting for the Cubs is everybody’s favorite beard model, Jake Arrieta. Arrieta has been expectedly great this season, and has ninth lowest ERA (1.23) in all of baseball.
Game Info
Chicago Cubs (11-4) at Cincinnati Reds (8-7), 6:10 CT on CSN+, 670 The Score.
Game Thread and Series Preview
Your game thread is down there in the comments, so have fun. But keep it “safe for work” type fun, all right?
The Series Preview lives here. The Lineup Discussion lives here.
Starting Pitchers
Cubs: Jake Arrieta (R): 1.23 ERA, 2.68 FIP, 2.39 xFIP; 10.00 K/BB
versus
Reds: Brandon Finnegan (L): 2.04 ERA, 4.41 FIP, 438 xFIP; 1.60 K/BB
Cincinnati Reds Lineup
1. Zack Cozart, SS
2. Eugenio Suarez, 3B
3. Joey Votto, 1B
4. Brandon Phillips, 2B
5. Jay Bruce, RF
7. Devin Mesoraco, C
6. Adam Duvall, LF
8. Scott Schebler, CF
9. Brandon Finnegan, P
Chicago Cubs Lineup
1. Dexter Fowler, CF
2. Jason Heyward, RF
3. Kris Bryant, 3B
4. Anthony Rizzo, 1B
5. Jorge Soler, LF
6. Ben Zobrist, 2B
7. Addison Russell, SS
8. David Ross, C
9. Jake Arrieta, P