Pre-Gamin’: Reds at Cubs (1:20 CT) – Lineup, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

What an excellent way to celebrate the Fourth of July: a Chicago Cubs win.

Yesterday, the Cubs got three homers from equally encouraging corners of the lineup: Kris Bryant (now tied for most in baseball), Willson Contreras (his 5th(!) in just 17 games) and Addison Russell (big game, heating up).

With another lefty on the mound this afternoon, the Cubs are ready to do some more mid-summer damage.

That lefty, of course, is Brandon Finnegan, who has faced the Cubs twice already this season. In his first two match-ups, Finnegan has given up 7 earned runs on 8 hits and 7 walks in just 10.2 innings pitched. Although those lineups looked a bit different than today’s, it’s not as though Willson Contreras and the new and improved Javy Baez are going to cut Finnegan any slack.

Opposing Finnegan for the Cubs is veteran righty John Lackey. Lackey bounced back in his last start (6.1 IP, 2 ER) after a rough appearance in Miami (4.1 IP, 7 ER). He’ll throw to David Ross today, who gets the start over Miguel Montero (presumably due to the lefty on the mound). Contreras continues to play everyday, this time making his way out to left field.

The Cubs won yesterday. If they win today, it’s called “two in a row.” And if they win again tomorrow, that’s called “a winning streak” … It has happened before!

Game Info

Chicago Cubs (52-30) at Cincinnati Reds (30-54), 1:20 CT on CSN, MLBN, 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: John Lackey (R): 3.27 ERA, 3.49 FIP, 3.73 xFIP; 3.69 K/BB

versus

Reds: Brandon Finnegan (L): 4.48 ERA, 5.27 FIP, 5.20 xFIP; 1.41 K/BB

Cincinnati Reds Lineup:

1. Zack Cozart, SS

2. Billy Hamilton, CF

3. Joey Votto, 1B

4. Jay Bruce, RF

5. Adam Duvall, LF

6. Brandon Phillips, 2B

7. Eugenio Suarez, 3B

8. Ramon Cabrera, C

9. Brandon Finnegan, P

Chicago Cubs Lineup:

1. Ben Zobrist, RF

2. Kris Bryant, 3B

3. Anthony Rizzo, 1B

4. Willson Contreras, LF

5. Addison Russell, SS

6. Jason Heyward, CF

7. David Ross, C

8. John Lackey, P

9. Javy Baez, 2B