For the third consecutive series, the Chicago Cubs have dropped game one, only to battle back and give themselves a chance at winning the series with the final game.
It worked out well for them the last two times (Cardinals, White Sox), but we’ll have to see if the Cubs can get it done against the Brewers today.
Of course, because of their extra-innings win last night, the Cubs have set themselves up well anyway:
Remember: pic.twitter.com/87EiRe7aOB
— Michael Cerami (@Michael_Cerami) July 30, 2017
John Lackey is taking the mound today, and as for how he’s been doing lately, I think I covered that in the Series Preview well enough:
John Lackey’s ERA has moved under 5.00 after three consecutive, usable starts against the Rays, Braves, and White Sox. And even though he did have a clunker against the Nationals just before this stretch, he preceded that one with two 6.0 IP, 1 ER outings against the Pirates and Marlins.
I did point out that Lackey’s strikeout rate has been way down lately (12.9% during that three-game stretch), but he’s managed to work around it.
The Cubs offense hasn’t been clicking over the past two games, scoring just three total runs on 11 hits in 20 (!) innings. Hopefully, they have some more luck against the righty, Davies. Though, I’ll point out that Davies has had pretty split neutral stats against lefties and righties for his career (and he’s actually been a reverse split guy this year).
Game Info
Chicago Cubs (55-48) at Milwaukee Brewers (55-51)Â – 1:10 CT on CSN-C, TBS, 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): 4.97 ERA, 5.67 FIP, 4.71 xFIP; 2.71 K/BB
versus
Brewers: Zach Davis (R): 4.45 ERA, 4.74 FIP, 4.64 xFIP; 2.05 K/BB
Milwaukee Brewers:
- Jonathan Villar, 2B
- Eric Thames, 1B
- Ryan Braun, LF
- Travis Shaw, 3B
- Domingo Santana, RF
- Orlando Arcia, SS
- Jett Bandy, C
- Lewis Brinson, CF
- Zach Davies, P
Chicago Cubs Lineup:
- Ben Zobrist, 2B
- Jon Jay, LF
- Kris Bryant, 3B
- Willson Contreras, C
- Addison Russell, SS
- Jason Heyward, RF
- Albert Almora Jr., CF
- Victor Caratini, 1B
- John Lackey, P