NEWSLETTER
Hello, Cub fans.
Welcome to the second half of a season that used to be really fun! I promise it’ll be fun again, and who knows, maybe that’ll start today.
The Chicago Cubs are hosting the Texas Rangers for some first-place, interleague play at Wrigley Field. It’s sure to be a stressful weekend – the Cubs will face each of Cole Hamels and Yu Darvish with the back of their rotation – but it should be an exciting one, nonetheless.
Taking the ball for Chicago is the Cubs “fifth starter” Kyle Hendricks. He may technically be at the back of the Cubs five, but like I wrote earlier today, he’s pitched as well (or better) than anyone else in the rotation. In fact, in his last five starts (dating back to June 19), Hendricks has just a 1.08 ERA. Awesome. He’ll pitch to the Cubs catcher and clean-up hitter, Willson Contreras. I still can’t believe we’re already saying that this early in the season.
Opposing Hendricks is lefty Martin Perez. Perez has middling results this season (3.85 ERA), but even worse peripherals (4.88 FIP). With just a 1.13 K/BB ration, as well, the Cubs bats should be set-up for success right out of the gate. Indeed, Perez’s splits against lefties (.250) and righties (.341) are very pronounced, and he’ll face plenty of righties today.
It sure would be nice to start the second half out strong.
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Game Info
Chicago Cubs (53-35) at Texas Rangers (54-36), 1:20 CT on CSC, 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: Kyle Hendricks (R): 2.55 ERA, 3.46 FIP, 3.85 xFIP; 3.19 K/BB
versus
Rangers: Martin Perez (L): 3.85 ERA, 4.88 FIP, 4.95 xFIP; 1.13 K/BB
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Texas Rangers Lineup:
1. Rougned Odor, 2B
2. Ian Desmond, CF
3. Nomar Mazara, RF
4. Adrian Beltre, 3B
5. Prince Fielder, 1B
6. Ryan Rua, LF
7. Elvis Andrus, SS
8. Robinson Chirinos, C
9. Martin Perez, P
Chicago Cubs Lineup:
1. Ben Zobrist, LF
2. Kris Bryant, 3B
3. Anthony Rizzo, 1B
4. Willson Contreras, C
5. Addison Russell, SS
6. Jason Heyward, RF
7. Javy Baez, 2B
8. Albert Almora Jr., CF
9. Kyle Hendricks, P
