NEWSLETTER
Well, the Cubs couldn’t complete the sweep in Cincinnati yesterday, but as long as they keep winning most of their series, we’ll keep smiling.
And, hey! They’re starting a new one today against the Pirates, who are the only team to have both 1) beaten the Cubs in a series this year, and 2) swept the Cubs in the process. Hopefully, this weekday set turns out a little differently than the last time these two teams met up.
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Starting for the Cubs tonight is left-handed Brett Anderson. Anderson has struggled a bit in his first three starts as a Cub, and that goes double for his last two starts. His last time out, Anderson allowed six earned runs on eight hits in just 3.2 IP. While it was nice to see him strike out five batters and walk none, he allowed far too much hard contact and didn’t get nearly enough ground balls (historically that has been his biggest strength).
I’ve said it for three straight starts now, but Anderson really needs to start inducing some grounders – that’s the only way he’s going to reach that high-end potential with the Cubs. And the potential is there!
Opposing Anderson and the Cubs, is Pirates’ righty Chad Kuhl. Kuhl, as Brett mentioned earlier, has pretty significant lefty/righty splits for his career, which is partly why both Ben Zobrist (switch-hitter) and Miguel Montero are in the lineup tonight. Together with Kyle Schwarber, Anthony Rizzo, Jason Heyward, and Brett Anderson, Kuhl will have to face lefties in six out of nine plate appearances.
Let’s see if the Cubs’ next winning streak will start tonight.
Game Info
Chicago Cubs (10-8) at Pittsburgh Pirates (8-10) – 6:05 CT on WGN, ESPN, 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: Brett Anderson (L): 4.40 ERA, 3.32 FIP, 3.54 xFIP; 2.20 K/BB
versus
Pirates: Chad Kuhl (R): 2.60 ERA, 2.84 FIP, 5.18 xFIP; 2.00 K/BB
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Pittsburgh Pirates Lineup:
- Jordy Mercer, SS
- Josh Harrison 2B
- Andrew McCutchen, CF
- Gregory Polanco, LF
- David Freese, 3B
- Francisco Cervelli, C
- Jose Osuna, RF
- Josh Bell, 1B
- Chad Kuhl, P
Chicago Cubs Lineup:
- Kyle Schwarber, LF
- Kris Bryant, 3B
- Anthony Rizzo, 1B
- Ben Zobrist, RF
- Addison Russell, SS
- Jason Heyward, CF
- Miguel Montero, C
- Brett Anderson, P
- Javy Baez, 2B
