NEWSLETTER
Yesterday, the Chicago Cubs won an absolutely wild game in extra innings, on the strength of a walk-off Miguel Montero single in the bottom of the 13th inning.
They did need to use seven relievers to complete it, though, so tonight, Kyle Hendricks will look to have a nice, lengthy start.
His last time out, Hendricks lasted 6.0 innings, allowing just two earned runs on four hits and two walks against eight strikeouts. In fact, he hasn’t allowed more than three earned runs in a start since May 22nd (17 straight starts). If he continues to pitch the way he has been all season, then, the Cubs should be just fine.
Opposing Hendricks and the Cubs is young right-hander Chad Kuhl. Kuhl has made just eight starts at the Major League level, having debuted earlier this season against the Dodgers. In those eight starts (43.2 innings pitched), Kuhl has been just so-so, getting the results (3.50 ERA), but not quite the peripherals (4.22 FIP, 4.66 xFIP) of a successful starter. Most notably, he hasn’t been able to strike many batters out (15.3% strikeout rate), but has flashed fairly decent control (6.2% walk rate). Furthermore, in an admittedly small sample, lefties (.340 wOBA) have hit Kuhl far better than righties (.270 wOBA). He’ll have to face X lefties tonight.
First pitch is at 7:05 CT.
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Game Info
Chicago Cubs (83-47) at Pittsburgh Pirates (67-62), 7:05 CT on WGN, 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): 2.19 ERA, 3.37 FIP; 3.68 xFIP; 3.55 K/BB
versus
Pirates: Chad Kuhl (L): 3.50 ERA, 4.23 FIP, 4.66 xFIP; 2.45 K/BB
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Pittsburgh Pirates Lineup:
1. Josh Harrison, 2B
2. Josh Bell, 1B
3. Andrew McCutchen, CF
4. Gregory Polanco, RF
5. Starling Marte, LF
6. David Freese, 3B
7. Francisco Cervelli, C
8. Jordy Mercer, SS
9. Chad Kuhl, P
Chicago Cubs Lineup:
1. Javy Baez, 2B
2. Kris Bryant, 3B
3. Anthony Rizzo, 1B
4. Jorge Soler, LF
5. Jason Heyward, RF
6. Addison Russell, SS
7. Miguel Montero, C
8. Matt Szczur, CF
9. Kyle Hendricks, P
