UPDATE: We’re delayed, but there’s a start time in sight:
We're aiming to get started around 7 p.m. CDT. #CubsWeather pic.twitter.com/jbHUYGOM0w
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) May 23, 2017
BLERGH! Just win a bunch of games in a row already!
In yesterday’s Pre-Gamin’ post, Brett questioned whether the Cubs were in the midst of a hot streak (having just won four of five) or if they were mired in a continued slump, interrupted only by a single win against the Brewers and three straight against the relatively beatable Reds.
When I read that, I thought to myself, surely this is the beginning of their rebound, and a win tonight will solidify that. And then the Cubs lost … badly. I know they came back late and runs count no matter what inning they come in, but there’s something to be said about not having to claw your way out of deep deficit every single night.
At some point, a Cubs starter needs to bury an opposing lineup and take some pressure off the offense. Perhaps tonight is the night.
In a rematch of the NLDS Game 5Â that never happened (or, you know, Game 1), Jon Lester is squaring up against Johnny Cueto at Wrigley Field. Neither pitcher is fully themselves this year, though Cueto is having a much more difficult time than Lester: 4.50 ERA, 3.91 FIP through nine starts.
In his last start, Cueto lasted 6.0 innings against the Dodgers with just one walk to six strikeouts, but he allowed five earned runs in the process. However, he’s had quality starts in the four starts before that one: 28.0 IP, 3.21 ERA, 3.25 FIP. So we’ll see which version the Cubs get tonight.
Game Info
San Francisco Giants (20-26) at Chicago Cubs (22-21)Â – 6:05 CT on CSN-C, MLBN (out of market), 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.
Starting Pitchers
Cubs: Jon Lester (L): 3.57 ERA, 3.47 FIP, 3.56 xFIP; 2.57 K/BB
versus
Giants: Johnny Cueto (R): 4.50 ERA, 3.91 FIP, 3.80 xFIP; 3.25 K/BB
San Francisco Giants Lineup:
- Joe Panik, 2B
- Christian Arroyo, 3B
- Brandon Belt, 1B
- Buster Posey, C
- Justin Ruggiano, RF
- Brandon Crawford, SS
- Eduardo Nunez, LF
- Gorkys Hernandez, CF
- Johnny Cueto, P
Chicago Cubs Lineup:
- Ben Zobrist, LF
- Kyle Schwarber, LF
- Kris Bryant, 3B
- Anthony Rizzo, 1B
- Ian Happ, CF
- Jason Heyward, RF
- Willson Contreras, C
- Addison Russell, SS
- Jon Lester, P