Pre-Gamin’: Cubs at Pirates (6:05 CT) – Lineup, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

pnc parkIn the Lineup Discussion earlier today, I wrote that win 102 was gratuitous. Yeah, forget that.

Let’s git ’em.

It’s the final Jake Day of the regular season, as Jake Arrieta takes the ball for the Cubs in a pretty cool matchup (against up-and-comer Jameson Taillon). Arrieta has a shot at reaching both 19 wins and 200 innings. But, to be honest, I’ll be almost completely focused on how he looks individually, because a hot Arrieta heading into the playoffs can single-handedly swing the Cubs World Series hopes dramatically.

His last time out was one of his finest this season. In seven innings against the Cardinals, Arrieta allowed no earned runs, on just five hits and a walk against 10 strikeouts – that’s the guy we need. That game was caught by Miguel Montero, and that’s who’ll catch Arrieta tonight.

Opposing Arrieta and the Cubs, as I said, is the young, but talented Jameson Taillon. After hearing Taillon’s name for years, the Pirates finally debuted the righty earlier this season, and he’s made 17 starts since (including one against the Cubs). The first time the Cubs met him, he lasted just 4.0 innings, while allowing four earned runs on eight hits (three homers) and a walk. But he’s been a much different pitcher in the second half: 3.34 ERA, 52.2% ground ball rate, 6.67 K/BB ratio.

The outcome of the game might not have any implications on the Cubs immediate future, but you’d still like to see Arrieta dominate and the Cubs’ offense stay hot.

First pitch is at 6:05 CT.

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Game Info

Chicago Cubs (101-56) at Pittsburgh Pirates Braves (77-80), 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 hereThe Lineup Discussion lives here.

Starting Pitchers

Cubs: Jake Arrieta (R): 2.36 ERA, 3.40 FIP, 3.45 xFIP; 3.83 K/BB

versus

Pirates: Jameson Taillon (R): 3.49 ERA, 3.60 FIP, 3.34 xFIP; 5.79 K/BB

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Pittsburgh Pirates Lineup:

1. Adam Frazier, 2B

2. Josh Bell, RF

3. Andrew McCutchen, CF

4. Matt Joyce, LF

5. Sean Rodriguez, SS

6. John Jaso, 1B

7. David Freese, 3B

8. Eric Fryer, C

9. Jameson Taillon, P

Chicago Cubs Lineup:

1. Dexter Fowler, CF

2. Kris Bryant, 3B

3. Anthony Rizzo, 1B

4. Ben Zobrist, LF

5. Jason Heyward, RF

6. Addison Russell, SS

7. Chris Coghlan, LF

8. Miguel Montero, C

9. Jake Arrieta, P

written by

Michael Cerami began covering the Chicago Cubs for Bleacher Nation as a part-time contributor in 2015. One year later, he joined Bleacher Nation full-time, covering the Chicago Cubs and Major League Baseball. Today, Michael runs Bleacher Nation, contributing as a writer (Cubs, MLB) and an editor for all sections of the site, including the Chicago Bears, Bulls, and Blackhawks, as well as MLB, NBA, NHL, and NFL. In 2019, Michael was the co-host of NBC Sports Chicago's Cubs Post-Game Show Outside the Ivy. You can find him on Twitter/X @Michael_Cerami

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