And we’re back!
After an unscheduled off-day yesterday, the scheduled off-day today becomes an unscheduled game day at 12:45 CT. Get that?
The Cubs and Cardinals are meeting in St. Louis to conclude their opening three-game set of the 2017 season. Each team has won one so far, so today’s match-up will decide the first series of the year.
The Cubs are sending John Lackey to the mound, and given his longstanding success in Busch Stadium that seems like the right call. He’ll be pitching to Miguel Montero today, who gets his first start of the season.
The Cubs are also starting Jason Heyward in right field and Jon Jay in center, presumably to cram as many former Cardinals into the lineup on one day as possible (Lackey being the third).
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For the Cardinals, Lance Lynn takes the mound after missing the entire 2016 season rehabbing from Tommy John surgery. And if you were looking for another reason why Montero and Jay (both lefties) are scheduled to make their debuts today, look no further than Lynn’s splits:
@BleacherNation Career #'s worth noting:
Lynn vs. RH hitters as SP: .235/.292/.339; .281 wOBA
Lynn vs. LH hitters as SP: .257/.356/.420; .342 wOBA pic.twitter.com/m4qFHssjZq
— Luis M. (@lcm1986) April 6, 2017
All together, six lefties adorn the Cubs lineup this afternoon.
Game Info
Chicago Cubs (1-1) at St. Louis Cardinals (1-1) – 12:45 CT on CSN-C, MLBN, 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 evening.
The Series Preview lives here. The Lineup Discussion lives here.
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Starting Pitchers
Cubs: John Lackey (R): 3.35 ERA, 3.81 FIP, 3.80 xFIP; 3.40 K/BB (2016)
versus
Cardinals: Lance Lynn (R): n/a, Tommy John surgery
St. Louis Cardinals Lineup:
- Dexter Fowler, CF
- Aledmys Diaz, SS
- Matt Carpenter, 1B
- Yadier Molina, C
- Matt Adams, LF
- Randal Grichuk, RF
- Jedd Gyorko, 3B
- Kolton Wong, 2B
- Lance Lynn, P
Chicago Cubs Lineup:
- Kyle Schwarber, LF
- Kris Bryant, 3B
- Anthony Rizzo, 1B
- Ben Zobrist, 2B
- Addison Russell, SS
- Jason Heyward, RF
- Miguel Montero, C
- John Lackey, P
- Jon Jay, CF