NEWSLETTER
Despite rocking nine hits and four walks against the White Sox yesterday, the Cubs could only muster one run – stranding 22 runners on base – before dropping Game One of the Crosstown Cup. Hopefully, they have some better luck with a lineup full of righties this afternoon.
Indeed, as we discussed in the lineup post earlier today, the Cubs have just on lefty in the lineup this afternoon (Anthony Rizzo), with each of Jon Jay, Jason Heyward, and Kyle Schwarber sitting on the bench (plus Ian Happ and Ben Zobrist hitting from the right side of the plate).
Given Rodon’s career struggles against right-handers (.345 wOBA), and the way the Cubs absolutely DESTROY lefties, you’d have to say Rodon provides a good match-up for the Cubs.
Seriously, though, check out some of these numbers versus southpaws this season:
Kris Bryant: .444 wOBA
Albert Almora: .436 wOBA
Anthony Rizzo: .423 wOBA
Javier Baez: .385 wOBA
Willson Contreras: .374 wOBA
The league average wOBA this year, for reference, is .321. So, you know, yeah, the Cubs love feasting on lefties. John Lackey is coming off back-t0-back nice starts (combined 11.0 IP, 11H, 4ER, 2BB, 4K), so hopefully he can keep that up and give the Cubs a fighting shot at evening the series.
Game time is 1:20.
Game Info
Chicago Cubs (51-47) at Chicago White Sox (39-57) – 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: John Lackey (R): 5.04 ERA, 5.71 FIP, 4.64 xFIP; 2.72 K/BB
versus
White Sox: Carlos Rodon (L): 5.75 ERA, 6.59 FIP, 5.15 xFIP; 1.33 K/BB
Chicago White Sox:
- Melky Cabrera, LF
- Jose Abreu, 1B
- Avisail Garcia, RF
- Matt Davidson, 3B
- Yoan Moncada, 2B
- Tim Anderson, SS
- Omar Narvaez, C
- Adam Engel, CF
- Carlos Rodon, P
Chicago Cubs Lineup:
- Ben Zobrist, RF
- Kris Bryant, 3B
- Anthony Rizzo, 1B
- Willson Contreras, C
- Ian Happ, LF
- Albert Almora Jr., CF
- Javy Baez, 2B
- Addison Russell, SS
- John Lackey, P
