The Cubs are right back up to 32 games over .500, after sweeping both halves of the doubleheader yesterday.
Now, Jon Lester will take the mound for the Cubs, and try to give Chicago its third straight victory.
Lester, like many of the Cubs starters right now, has had a nice go of it lately, especially in his past three starts (19.0 IP, 1.89 ERA, 2.77 FIP, 7.00 K/BB). That said, his worst start after the All-Star break came against these very Brewers (4.0 IP, 4 ER, 4H, 5BB, and 7 Ks) back on July 24. Well, sorta.
The lineup that day featured both Ryan Braun and Jonathan Lucroy, and together, they accounted for three hits (including a double), a walk, and two stolen bases. Neither of those players will be in the lineup tonight, however, so maybe Lester will have some better fortune. Even still, it’s worth pointing out that the Brewers stole six bases that day, five of which came with Lester on the mound. So, if someone gets on tonight, keep your eyes peeled for some steals.
Opposing the Cubs for the Brewers tonight is righty Jimmy Nelson. Nelson, you’ll recall, is the enigma of a pitcher who pitches quite poorly (4.07 ERA, 4.90 FIP) for most of the season, until he turns up against the Cubs (1.53 ERA through three games). At some point, the Cubs are going to go bananas on Nelson, and tag him for all those runs he owes them. Why not tonight?
First pitch is at 7:05 CT.
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Game Info
Chicago Cubs (75-43) at Milwaukee Brewers (52-66) – 7:05 CT on CSN-C, 670 The Score
Game Thread and Series Preview
Your game thread is down in the comments, so let’s have some good, clean (safe-for-work) fun this afternoon.
The Series Preview lives here. The Lineup Discussion lives here.
Starting Pitchers
Cubs: Jon Lester (L): 2.93 ERA, 3.83 FIP, 3.56 xFIP; 3.56 K/BB
versus
Brewers: Jimmy Nelson (R): 4.07 ERA, 4.90 FIP, 4.80 xFIP; 1.66 K/BB
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Milwaukee Brewers Lineup:
- Keon Broxton, CF
- Orlando Arcia, SS
- Jonathan Villar, 3B
- Hernan Perez, RF
- Chris Carter, 1B
- Scooter Gennett, 2B
- Jake Elmore, LF
- Martin Maldonado, C
- Jimmy Nelson, P
Chicago Cubs Lineup:
- Dexter Fowler, CF
- Kris Bryant, 3B
- Anthony Rizzo, 1B
- Ben Zobrist, 2B
- Addison Russell, SS
- Jorge Soler, LF
- Jason Heyward, RF
- David Ross, C
- Jon Lester, P