Today’s the day the Cubs turn this mini-slump around. I can feel it. I’m reminded of the feeling near the end of the Phillies series sweep over the Cubs in 2015 and the brilliant stretch that followed. Jason Heyward’s back and in the lineup, Jorge Soler is going to keep things going.
I’m officially ready for the brilliant stretch.
And trying to kick off that brilliant stretch for the Cubs will be right hander Jason Hammel. Hammel got off to a great start this season, before hitting something of a rough patch over the past couple weeks (hey, just like the Cubs!). He did have a nice start against the Pirates on May 13, though, so maybe he’s just better against better competition (hey, also just like the Cubs!).
He’ll face a Cardinals lineup tonight that is almost identical to last night’s, with the exception of Matt Adams in there for Brandon Moss. Like I said in the Series Preview, the Cardinals’ biggest weapon this season has been the home run (“No kidding.” – Me from last night) so the goal will be to keep the ball on the ground.
Opposing Hammel is fellow righty Michael Wacha. In Wacha, the Cubs will face yet another starter who has had a rough go of it in 2016, but hopefully he’ll be the guy they actually make pay. Wacha will face a lineup without Miguel Montero in it, tonight, as David Ross draws yet another start. The amount of starting Ross has done even since Montero suggests that the Cubs still want to protect Montero from further injury, and also helps further crystalize why Tim Federowicz is still on the roster.[adinserter block=”1″]
Game Info
Chicago Cubs (29-14) at St. Louis Cardinals (24-21), 6:10 CT on CSN, ESPN, 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: Jason Hammel (R): 2.31 ERA, 3.35 FIP, 3.89 xFIP; 2.39 K/BB
versus
Cardinals: Michael Wacha (R): 4.03 ERA, 3.48 FIP, 3.81 xFIP; 2.44 K/BB
[adinserter block=”2″]
St. Louis Cardinals Lineup
1. Matt Carpenter, 3B
2. Aledmys Diaz, SS
3. Matt Holliday, LF
4. Stephen Piscotty, RF
5. Matt Adams, 1B
6. Yadier Molina, C
7. Randal Grichuk, CF
8. Kolton Wong, 2B
9. Michael Wacha, 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. David Ross, C
9. Jason Hammel, P