NEWSLETTER
After a frustrating loss in the opener of this series, the Cubs came back to win game two, and now have a chance at taking yet another series tonight – they’ve won all but one so far this year.
[adinserter block=”1″]
Kyle Hendricks takes the mound for the Cubs, looking to follow up on his “something clicked” start against the Pirates. Although he still wasn’t quite the guy he was in 2016, his fastball velocity ticked up and his signature command improved as the game went on.
Opposing Hendricks and the Cubs is lefty Eduardo Rodriguez, who had a solid 2015 debut for the Red Sox, but slipped last year, in large part because his 31.6% groundball rate was fourth lowest in baseball. Given the fly ball revolution among hitters – they want to hit it in the air! – that groundball rate, paired with average strikeout and walk rates just isn’t going to cut it.
There’s still a good deal of talent there, though, as he did manage to go six scoreless last time out against the Orioles, with seven strikeouts and just one hit. Those five walks, though …
Game Info
Chicago Cubs (13-10) at Boston Red Sox (12-11) – 7:08 CT on 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.
[adinserter block=”2″]
Starting Pitchers
Cubs: Kyle Hendricks (R): 4.50 ERA, 5.13 FIP, 4.51 xFIP; 1.78 K/BB
versus
Red Sox: Eduardo Rodriguez (L): 3.12 ERA, 4.78 FIP, 4.46 xFIP; 1.83 K/BB
Boston Red Sox Lineup:
- Xander Boegaerts, SS
- Andrew Benintendi, LF
- Mookie Betts, RF
- Hanley Ramirez, DH
- Mitch Moreland, 1B
- Dustin Pedroia, 2B
- Jackie Bradley Jr., CF
- Christian Vasquez, C
- Marco Hernandez, 3B
Chicago Cubs Lineup:
- Kyle Schwarber, DH
- Kris Bryant, 3B
- Anthony Rizzo, 1B
- Ben Zobrist, 2B
- Addison Russell, SS
- Jason Heyward, RF
- Willson Contreras, C
- Albert Almora Jr., CF
- Jon Jay, LF
