NEWSLETTER
The Cubs have a pretty big game today, don’t they?
If they win, they’ll secure their third consecutive series victory of the second half (which happens to include two sweeps). But if they lose, it’ll feel like, once again, they’ve failed to escape the gravitational pull of .500. On top of that, they’re playing their divisional rivals who happen to consider themselves still “in the race,” and could add more pieces if they go on a hot stretch before the break.
Jose Quintana is making his second start for the Cubs today, but it’s actually his Wrigley Field debut. In his first Cubs’ start (the finale against the Orioles) he absolutely dominated to the tune of 12 strikeouts and ZERO walks over 7.0 scoreless innings. Hopefully, he turns in a similar effort and the Cubs keep the good times rolling.
On the opposite side, the Cardinals are throwing Michael Wacha, whom the Cubs have hit plenty over the past couple of years (6.35 ERA over 13 games). HOWEVER, with that said, Wacha’s latest start was an absolute gem: a complete game shutout against the Mets with just three hits and one walk against 8 strikeouts. Hopefully, I don’t know, he doesn’t do something like that again.
Come on, Cubs. Give us something to cheer for.
Game Info
Chicago Cubs (50-46) at St. Louis Cardinals (47-50) – 7:05 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: Jose Quintana (L): 4.20 ERA, 3.73 FIP, 3.90 xFIP; 3.03 K/BB
versus
Cardinals: Michael Wacha (R): 3.71 ERA, 3.32 FIP, 3.78 xFIP; 2.94 K/BB
St. Louis Cardinals:
- Matt Carpenter, 1B
- Tommy Pham, LF
- Dexter Fowler, CF
- Jedd Gyorko, 3B
- Yadier Molina, C
- Paul Delong, SS
- Randal Grichuk, RF
- Kolton Wong, 2B
- Michael Wacha, P
Chicago Cubs Lineup:
- Jason Heyward, RF
- Kris Bryant, 3B
- Anthony Rizzo, 1B
- Willson Contreras, C
- Kyle Schwarber, LF
- Ian Happ, CF
- Addison Russell, SS
- Javy Baez, 2B
- Jose Quintana, P
