Pre-Gamin’: Pirates at Cubs (7:08 CT) – Lineup, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

The Pirates better hope Jameson Taillon does not feel the pressure of Wrigley Field, Sunday Night, ESPN, and facing the best team in baseball.

Having already dropped the first two games of the series, the Pirates’ season very much feels like it’s on the brink of falling off completely (if it hasn’t already). One singular win tonight won’t change anything on its own, but you have to start somewhere. And the Pirates really need a win.

Unfortunately for them, the Cubs are really good at baseball, and also like to win.

Kyle Hendricks starts tonight in opposition of Taillon, who has been fantastic in two big league starts (both against the Mets). Taillon, 24, is one of the best young pitchers in the game, 24, even after missing each of the last two years with injuries. He will probably, at times tonight, make Cubs hitters look silly. He has that ability. But, the rest of the time, the hope is that the Cubs’ patience will pay off, and when he challenges them in the zone, they hit it hard.

Game Info

Chicago Cubs (46-20) at Pittsburgh Pirates (33-35), 7:08 CT on 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: Kyle Hendricks (R): 3.05 ERA, 3.30 FIP, 3.65 xFIP; 3.21 K/BB

versus

Pirates: Jameson Taillon (R): 1.93 ERA, 3.78 FIP, 3.68 xFIP; 2.67 K/BB

Pittsburgh Pirates Lineup:

1. Jon Jaso, 1B

2. Gregory Polanco, RF

3. Andrew McCutchen, CF

4. Starling Marte, LF

5. Jung-Ho Kang, 3B

6. Josh Harrison, 2B

7. Jordy Mercer, SS

8. Jacob Stallings, C

9. Jameson Taillon, P

Chicago Cubs Lineup:

1. Chris Coghlan, LF

2. Jason Heyward, CF

3. Kris Bryant, RF

4. Anthony Rizzo, 1B

5. Ben Zobrist, 2B

6. Miguel Montero, C

7. Addison Russell, SS

8. Javy Baez, 3B

9. Kyle Hendricks, P