The Cubs are back at it this early-afternoon for a chance at a series sweep in Cincinnati. They won a comeback thriller on Friday night, a slugfest yesterday, and today’s will thus probably be a pitchers duel.
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If that is to be the case, it’ll require 38-year-old John Lackey and 40-year-old Bronson Arroyo each being at his best. Lackey has actually been solid this year by the peripherals, unless you believe he really is going to sport a ridiculous 22.8% HR/FB rate this whole season (although, pitching today in Great American Ballpark might not help that figure).
As for Arroyo, he’s worked his way back from 2014 Tommy John surgery, even at his age, and whatever happens, I say good for him. But, well, let’s hope he pitches today like a 40-year-old still trying to come back from Tommy John surgery.
Ben Zobrist returns to the lineup after a few days off to rest up his back.
Game Info
Chicago Cubs (10-7) at Cincinnati Reds (9-9) – 12:10 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 today.
The Series Preview lives here. The Lineup Discussion lives here.
Starting Pitchers
Cubs: John Lackey (R): 4.00 ERA, 4.66 FIP, 3.38 xFIP; 3.17 K/BB
versus
Reds: Bronson Arroyo (R): 8.40 ERA, 7.02 FIP, 5.15 xFIP; 1.80 K/BB
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Cincinnati Reds Lineup:
(With apologies, I had to schedule this post before the Reds’ lineup was out, so this is yesterday’s group.)
- Jose Peraza, 2B
- Scooter Gennett, RF
- Joey Votto, 1B
- Adam Duvall, LF
- Eugenio Suarez, 3B
- Scott Schebler, CF
- Zack Cozart, SS
- Tucker Barnhart, C
- Bronson Arroyo, 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