Pre-Gamin’: Cubs at Brewers (7:10 CT) – Lineups, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

Jose Quintana is making his third start for the Chicago Cubs tonight, and it’s actually a pretty big one.

Indeed, the Cubs are heading north to take on the Milwaukee Brewers, who trail them by just 1.5 games in the NL Central. If Quintana is able to deliver another solid start for his new team tonight, the Cubs may finally be able begin breaking away in the standings.

And fortunately, there’s some legitimate reasons for optimism.

For one, the Brewers’ offense has been among the five worst in baseball here in the second half of the season, posting just an 80 wRC+. While the Cubs’ offense, on the other hand, has been among the five best in baseball, posting a 125 wRC+ since the break.

For another, Jose Quintana has been excellent since coming over to the Cubs, but has even posted a 2.32 ERA (3.29 FIP, 2.89 xFIP) since all the way back on June 16th. And in his past two starts alone, he’s struck out 19 batters, while walking just two.

But it’s not all good news. Since the opposing starter, Brent Suter, moved into the rotation on July 3, he’s made four straight, great starts: 1.96 ERA, 2.50 FIP. And although he’s a lefty (which is good news for Albert Almora and Javy Baez, who usually do quite well against southpaws), Suter has actually had really extreme reverse splits for his career:

.373 wOBA v. Left-handed batters
.277 wOBA v. Right-handed batters

But I’ll tell you for whom that is good news: Anthony Rizzo. The Cubs first baseman (and future switch-hitter?!) is also enjoying a nice reverse split here in 2017:

.418 wOBA v. Left-handed pitchers
.364 wOBA v. Right-handed pitchers

So you have a southpaw who’s crushed by left-handed hitters, facing one of the best hitters in the league, who happens to crush lefties. Good luck with that. Now let’s just sit back and watch these people all make me look stupid.

Go Cubs!

Game Info

Chicago Cubs (54-47) at Milwaukee Brewers (54-50) – 7:10 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): 4.22 ERA, 3.87 FIP, 3.91 xFIP; 3.05 K/BB

versus

Brewers: Brent Suter (L): 2.84 ERA, 3.02 FIP, 3.98 xFIP; 3.20 K/BB

Milwaukee Brewers:

1. Domingo Santana, RF
2. Ryan Braun, LF
3. Travis Shaw, 3B
4. Jesus Aguilar, 1B
5. Hernan Perez, 2B
6. Manny Pina, C
7. Lewis Brinson, CF
8. Orlando Arcia, SS
9. Brent Suter, P

Chicago Cubs Lineup:

1. Jon Jay, LF
2. Kris Bryant, 3B
3. Anthony Rizzo, 1B
4. Willson Contreras, C
5. Jason Heyward, RF
6. Albert Almora Jr., CF
7. Addison Russell, SS
8. Javy Baez, 2B
9. Jose Quintana, P