NEWSLETTER
The Chicago Cubs play another late one tonight – well, late for us that is – but it didn’t seem to affect them during the week, as they swept the San Diego Padres in three.
Now, lefty swing-man Mike Montgomery will look to extend the Cubs winning streak to four, as the Cubs head to Los Angeles to take on the first-place Dodgers.
Indeed, Montgomery takes the ball tonight, in his second start for Chicago and fourth start of the season. In fact, his last appearance was the start against Colorado, and it went quite well (4.1 IP, 1 ER, 1H, 2BB, 5Ks). Starting remains an option in Montgomery’s future, but for this season, he’ll stick to his role as a swing man and (hopefully) continue to do so successfully. With the righty Bud Norris on the mound tonight, Montgomery will pitch to Miguel Montero behind the plate.
Norris, 31, has had extreme lefty/righty splits this season, with lefties crushing him to the tune of a .386 wOBA, while righties have kept just a .271 wOBA off him – the same is true for his career (lefties: .357 woBA, righties: .309 wOBA), just to a lesser extent. With that in mind, Joe has loaded the lineup with lefties. Thanks to the two switch-hitters and Montgomery’s handedness, Norris will have to face six lefties tonight, with just the scalding hot Kris Bryant, Addison Russell, and Jorge Soler coming at him from the right side. Hopefully, that’s enough offense for Montgomery and the bullpen to pull another one off.
First pitch is at 9:10 CT.
Game Info
Chicago Cubs (81-45) at Los Angeles Dodgers (71-56), 9:10 CT on ABC-7, 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: Mike Montgomery (L): 2.41 ERA, 3.44 FIP, 3.51 xFIP; 2.84
versus
Dodgers: Bud Norris: (R): 4.69 ERA, 4.09 FIP, 4.11 xFIP; 2.32 K/BB
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Los Angeles Dodgers Lineup
1. Howie Kendrick, LF
2. Corey Seager, SS
3. Justin Turner, 3B
4. Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
5. Enrique Hernandez, CF
6. Carlos Ruiz, C
7. Josh Reddick, RF
8. Chase Utley, 2B
9. Bud Norris, P
Chicago Cubs Lineup
1. Dexter Fowler, CF
2. Kris Bryant, 3B
3. Anthony Rizzo, 1B
4. Ben Zobrist, 2B
5. Addison Russell, SS
6. Jason Heyward, RF
7. Jorge Soler, LF
8. Miguel Montero, C
9. Mike Montgomery, P
