The Chicago Cubs have just two more series left in the regular season, and the first is a four-gamer against the Pirates in Pittsburgh.
First pitch is 6:05pm CT tonight, as Kyle Hendricks looks to strengthen his case for the NL Cy Young award (although he’ll have to battle teammate Jon Lester for that honor).
His last time out, Hendricks allowed two earned runs on six hits and no walks (against 9 strikeouts) in 6.0 innings pitched. He’s up to 179.0 IP on the season, so 200 is out of the question, but he can certainly get up there with two nice, long starts to close out the year.
Opposing Hendricks and the Cubs is rookie right-hander Chad Kuhl. Kuhl, 24, has already faced the Cubs twice this season, but neither start was very effective. In total, he allowed seven earned runs in 7.1 innings pitched across both starts, including two homers and three walks against just six strikeouts. He’s been far more effective against righties (.271 wOBA) than lefties (.347 wOBA), though, so Chris Coghlan gets the start and leads off and Jason Heyward moves up in the order.
A win tonight marks 100 for the season, let’s see if Kyle Hendricks and the Cubs can deliver.
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Game Info
Chicago Cubs (99-56) at Pittsburgh Pirates Braves (77-78), 6:05 CT on CSN-C, 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): 2.96 ERA, 3.54 FIP, 3.73 xFIP; 2.41 K/BB
versus
Pirates: Chad Kuhl (R): 3.73 ERA, 3.90 FIP, 4.42 xFIP; 2.65 K/BB
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Pittsburgh Pirates Lineup:
1. John Jaso, 1B
2. Josh Bell, RF
3. Andrew McCutchen, CF
4. Jung-Ho Kang, 3B
5. Sean Rodriguez, 2B
6. Francisco Cervelli, C
7.Adam Frazier, LF
8. Jordy Mercer, SS
9. Chad Kuhl, P
Chicago Cubs Lineup:
1. Chris Coghlan, LF
2. Kris Bryant, 3B
3. Anthony Rizzo, 1B
4. Willson Contreras, C
5. Jason Heyward, RF
6. Addison Russell, SS
7. Albert Almora Jr., CF
8. Javy Baez, 2B
9. Kyle Hendricks, P