The Chicago Cubs won again yesterday – their 89th victory of the season … on September 5 – which means their Magic Number for the division has shrunk down to 10.
With the Cubs and Cardinals both in action tonight, the Magic Number could even get as low as 8.
Taking the mound for the Cubs is righty Jason Hammel. Hammel was successful is last time out (6.0 IP, 1 earned run, 3 hits, 3 walks, 6 strikeouts) after back to back clunkers in Los Angeles and Colorado. He continues to out-pitch his peripherals, but with the way the Cubs defense has been going, so has everyone. He’ll pitch to Miguel Montero behind the plate.
Opposing Hammel is righty Wily Peralta. Peralta was actually pretty great his last time out against the St. Louis Cardinals (7.0 IP, 1 earned run, 3 hits, 1 walk, 10 strikeouts), and has even looked good since the beginning of August (3.00 ERA in his last five starts). But he is still a very hittable pitcher and has had particular trouble with lefties throughout his career (.356 wOBA) and especially this season (.388 wOBA). With Kris Bryant and Addison Russell getting the night off, he’ll face six batters from the left side tonight.
First pitch is at 7:10.
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Game Info
Chicago Cubs (89-48) at Milwaukee Brewers (60-77) – 7:10 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: Jason Hammel (R): 3.14 ERA, 4.26 FIP, 4.32 xFIP; 2.60 K/BB
versus
Brewers: Wily Peralta (R): 5.53 ERA, 5.13 FIP, 4.43 xFIP; 1.86 K/BB
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Milwaukee Brewers Lineup:
- Jonathan Villar, 3B
- Kirk Nieuwenhuis, CF
- Ryan Braun, LF
- Hernan Perez, 2B
- Chris Carter, 1B
- Domingo Santana, RF
- Orlando Arcia, SS
- Martin Maldonado, C
- Wily Peralta, P
Chicago Cubs Lineup:
- Dexter Fowler, CF
- Ben Zobrist, 2B
- Anthony Rizzo, 1B
- Jorge Soler, LF
- Tommy La Stella, 3B
- Jason Heyward, RF
- Miguel Montero, C
- Javy Baez, SS
- Jason Hammel, P