NEWSLETTER
You know what would be great? A two-game sweep of the Rays at Wrigley Field.
If they’re going to do it, though, they’ll have to beat one of the league’s top five offenses (108 wRC+, 5th) using their best pitcher, Jon Lester, today, and arguably their worst pitcher (right now), John Lackey, tomorrow.
Fortunately, as I mentioned earlier, Lester is on a bit of a hot streak lately, with a 2.42 ERA over his past four starts. Lackey, on the other hand, had put together back-to-back quality starts in Pittsburgh and Miami, but melted down for eight earned runs in 5.1 IP in Washington immediately thereafter.
But it’s not like it’s all on the pitchers. The Cubs offense will have to get things going too, and against one of the better pitchers in baseball, Chris Archer. Archer’s ERA isn’t much to look at this season, but his sixth-best-in-MLB 3.08 FIP suggests he’s actually been pitching quite well. It won’t be easy.
Go America!
Game Info
Chicago Cubs (41-41) at Cincinnati Reds (43-41) – 1:20 CT on WGN, 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): 3.69 ERA, 3.63 FIP, 3.64 xFIP; 3.15 K/BB
versus
Rays: Chris Archer (R): 3.92 ERA, 3.07 FIP, 3.44 xFIP; 3.97 K/BB
Tampa Bay Rays:
- Steven Souza Jr., RF
- Corey Dickerson, LF
- Evan Longoria, 3B
- Willson Ramos, C
- Trevor Plouffe, 1B
- Tim Beckham, 2B
- Adeiny Hechavarria, SS
- Peter Bourjous, CF
- Chris Archer, P
Chicago Cubs Lineup:
- Jon Jay, LF
- Kris Bryant, 3B
- Anthony Rizzo, 1B
- Ben Zobrist, 2B
- Ian Happ, CF
- Jason Heyward, RF
- Willson Contreras, C
- Addison Russell, SS
- Jon Lester, P
