NEWSLETTER
Nobody move, nobody change their clothes, nobody do anything different: The Chicago Cubs won a series on the road. We can’t afford to change anything!
I kid, of course, but yesterday’s win against the Pirates marked the Cubs first series win on the road since April 24-26 (also against the Pirates). It was just their fourth series victory on the road this season. And, obviously, their luck on the road is going to have to change, if the Cubs are hoping to go anywhere – besides vacation – this October.
But we can put a pin in that for now, because tonight, the Cubs are at home against the Padres. The Padres did just sweep the Cubs in San Diego three weeks ago, but it was shocking then and a repeat would be shocking now. Despite sending two guys (Eddie Butler and Mike Montgomery ) to the mound who were not in the Opening Day rotation this weekend, the Cubs have the clear on-paper advantage. Throw in the fact that they’re playing at home, and this series *should* really go their way.
***
As I promised earlier, let’s talk about tonight’s starter, Jon Lester. His last start was an absolute beauty. Through 7.0 innings pitched against the Mets, Lester allowed just one earned run, walked just one guy, and struck out a (tied for his) season-high 10 batters. The 78 game score was his second best of the season, behind his complete game against the Giants (which also featured 10 Ks). Given the three straight clunkers that proceeded this effort, that was really nice to see.
Opposing Lester and the Cubs tonight is former Cub, Clayton Richard. But, as I pointed out in the Series Preview, he’s actually been pitching really well this year. Well, his peripherals suggest that he’s been pitching really well (which is why his 1.4 fWAR is the highest mark on the Padres), but his actual results (4.30 ERA) haven’t been quite as neat. As usual, Richard’s been absolutely LIT UP by righties (.355 wOBA) this season, but has held southpaws in check (.292 wOBA). Unfortunately for him, the Cubs have five (wait, just five?) righties in the lineup tonight.
A win tonight would give the Cubs an excellent shot at taking the series, and given the struggles so far this year, that’s as far ahead as we can look. Do it.
Game Info
Chicago Cubs (34-34) at San Diego Padres (28-42) – 6:05 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.
Starting Pitchers
Cubs: Jon Lester (L): 3.89 ERA, 3.51 FIP, 3.67 xFIP; 3.07 K/BB
versus
Pirates: Clayton Richard (L): 4.30 ERA, 3.86 FIP, 3.62 xFIP; 2.91 K/BB
San Diego Padres:
- Jose Pirela, LF
- Yangervis Solarte, 2B
- Wil Myers, 1B
- Hunter Renfroe, RF
- Austin Hedges, C
- Erick Aybar, SS
- Chase d’Arnaud, 3B
- Matt Szczur, CF
- Clayton Richard, P
Chicago Cubs Lineup:
- Anthony Rizzo, 1B
- Ian Happ, 2B
- Kris Bryant, 3B
- Willson Contreras, C
- Kyle Schwarber, LF
- Javy Baez, SS
- Albert Almora Jr., CF
- Jon Lester, P
- Jon Jay, RF
