The Cubs are riding a five-game winning streak, with those five wins coming over two of the best teams in the NL, the Pirates and the Nationals.
The last two of those wins came in this series against the Nationals, which means a win today will give the Cubs a series win, heading into a Jake Arrieta start on Sunday with a chance to sweep. Not too shabby.
Jason Hammel looks to keep the good times rolling today, both for the team and for himself, as he’s had a very good start to the 2016 season.
He’ll be opposed by lefty Gio Gonzalez, who has also had an excellent start to 2016, and in much the same way, primarily by keeping the ball in the yard. Both pitchers are actually due for some regression in that regard, though I’m not sure the weather is going to be as conducive to homers as it was yesterday. (I say that genuinely: because of travels, I had to write this Pre-Gamin’ early in the morning. I’m not sure what the wind is doing as of game time.)[adinserter block=”1″]
Game Info
Chicago Cubs (22-6) at Washington Nationals (19-10), 3:05 CT on CSN, FS1, 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 is here.
Starting Pitchers
Cubs: Jason Hammel (R): 1.24 ERA, 3.04 FIP, 4.08 xFIP; 2.50 K/BB
versus
Nationals: Gio Gonzalez: (R): 1.15 ERA, 2.79 FIP, 4.15 xFIP; 2.89 K/BB
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Washington Nationals Lineup
1. Ben Revere, CF
2. Danny Espinosa, SS
3. Bryce Harper, RF
4. Ryan Zimmerman, 1B
5. Jason Werth, LF
6. Anthony Rendon, 3B
7. Stephen Drew, 2B
8. Jose Lobaton, C
9. Gio Gonzalez, P
Chicago Cubs Lineup
1. Dexter Fowler, CF
2. Jason Heyward, RF
3. Kris Bryant, 3B
4. Anthony Rizzo, 1B
5. Ben Zobrist, 2B
6. Jorge Soler, LF
7. Addison Russell, SS
8. Tim Federowicz, C
9. Jason Hammel, P