Well, the Cubs have lost their first series of the year. I suppose that was going to happen at some point.
Today, though, they try to avoid being swept for the first time this year. Given that the Pirates may well be the Cubs’ nearest competition in the NL Central when we roll into the summer months, being swept at home would be especially stinging.
Jon Lester takes the ball for the third time this year, coming off two quietly excellent starts to begin his season. He’ll get a fantastic infield defense behind him, as he often does.
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The Pirates send out Jameson Taillon, who has also had an excellent start to his season. Like Tyler Glasnow and Gerrit Cole before him in the series, Taillon is a good young arm that gives the Pirates rotation a ton of upside this year.
Game Info
Chicago Cubs (6-5) at Pittsburgh Pirates (5-6) – 1:20 on WGN-9, 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 today.
The Series Preview lives here. The Lineup Discussion lives here.
Starting Pitchers
Cubs: Jon Lester (L): 1.64 ERA, 1.21 FIP, 2.81 xFIP; 4.67 K/BB
versus
Pirates: Jameson Taillon (R): 1.38 ERA, 3.55 FIP, 3.29 xFIP; 2.50 K/BB
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Pittsburgh Pirates Lineup:
- Jordy Mercer, SS
- Starling Marte, CF
- Andrew McCutchen, RF
- David Freese, 1B
- Francisco Cervelli, C
- Josh Harrison, 3B
- Phil Gosselin, 2B
- Adam Frazier, LF
- Jameson Taillon, P
Chicago Cubs Lineup:
- Kyle Schwarber, LF
- Kris Bryant, 3B
- Anthony Rizzo, 1B
- Ben Zobrist, RF
- Addison Russell, SS
- Jason Heyward, CF
- Willson Contreras, C
- Jon Lester, P
- Javy Baez, 2B