How is everyone adjusting to the reality of the 2017 Chicago Cubs?
I say that because part of me really thought that five-game winning streak against the Cardinals/Marlins was the start of the next chapter this season, but then they dropped the last game against the Marlins, three out of four against the Rockies, and the first against the Mets. They just can’t seem to find a foot hole and take off.
That’s probably also why tonight’s lineup is like nothing we’ve really seen from a Joe Maddon-led Cubs’ team. Anthony Rizzo is leading off, Jason Heyward is hitting cleanup, and Ian Happ is batting second. Plus, there’s no Javy Baez in there with Jon Lester on the mound. Everything is just slightly “off” right now, and the Cubs are far from where they want to be.  Something’s gotta give.
Hopefully, Jon Lester bounces back from three straight, eh hem, less than stellar starts, and Zack Wheeler doesn’t have one of his best starts of the season like Jacob deGrom did last night.
Game Info
Chicago Cubs (31-32) at New York Mets (29-33)Â – 6:10 CT on ABC-7, 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): 4.13 ERA, 3.71 FIP, 3.69 xFIP; 2.81 K/BB
versus
Mets: Zack Wheeler (R): 3.45 ERA, 3.90 FIP, 4.08 xFIP; 2.15 K/BB
New York Mets:
- Juan Lagares, CF
- Wilmer Flores, 3B
- Yoenis Cespedes, LF
- Jay Bruce, RF
- Neil Walker, 2B
- Lucas Duda, 1B
- Travis d’Arnaud, C
- Jose Reyes, SS
- Zack Wheeler, P
Chicago Cubs Lineup:
- Anthony Rizzo, 1B
- Ian Happ, 2B
- Kris Bryant, 3B
- Jason Heyward, RF
- Addison Russell, SS
- Kyle Schwarber, LF
- Willson Contreras, C
- Jon Lester, P
- Albert Almora Jr., CF