The Cubs are a game under .500 with just three games to go in the first half of the season. The only way they can finish above .500 before the break is if they sweep the Pirates in three straight at Wrigley Field.
To do that, they’ll have to win game one this afternoon with Eddie Butler on the mound. Unfortunately, Butler continues to be mostly unimpressive in his debut season with the Chicago Cubs. Through 10 full starts now, he’s earned just a 4.18 ERA and a 4.38 FIP. Worse, he’s only gone a total of 47.1 innings during that stretch, which means he’s been creating some extra work for the bullpens.
Considering that the Cubs’ pen tossed 6.2 innings yesterday, a deep start today would go a very long way.
Opposing Butler and the Cubs this afternoon is Trevor Williams. With Ivan Nova and Jameson Taillon going for the Pirates tomorrow and Sunday, Williams will be the easiest pitching matchup the Cubs get all weekend. Although, despite season long struggles, Williams has actually just thrown three straight quality starts against the Brewers, Rays, and Giants. Moreover, he’s walked just three during that stretch while striking out 17. He’s not a great pitcher, but he’s pitching pretty great.
Game Info
Chicago Cubs (42-43) at Pittsburgh Pirates (40-46) – 1:20 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: Eddie Butler (R): 4.18 ERA, 4.38 FIP, 5.37 xFIP; 1.17 K/BB
versus
Pirates: Trevor Williams (R): 4.67 ERA, 3.93 FIP, 4.53 xFIP; 2.83 K/BB
Pittsburgh Pirates:
- Adam Frazier, LF
- Josh Harrison, 2B
- Andrew McCutchen, CF
- Josh Bell, 1B
- David Freese, 3B
- Gregory Polanco, RF
- Francisco Cervelli, C
- Jordy Mercer, SS
- Trevor Williams, P
Chicago Cubs Lineup:
- Ben Zobrist, 2B
- Kris Bryant, 3B
- Anthony Rizzo, 1B
- Ian Happ, CF
- Kyle Schwarber, LF
- Jason Heyward, RF
- Victor Caratini, C
- Addison Russell, SS
- Eddie Butler, P