NEWSLETTER
Last week, the Chicago Cubs swept the Pirates in three straight games at Wrigley Field. Now, they’ll try to do the same, but with four straight at PNC.
Winning a four-game series on the road a much taller task, of course, but with NL Pitcher of the Month for August, Jake Arrieta, taking the ball this afternoon, the Cubs should get off to the right start.
Indeed, Arrieta’s last start came against these very Pirates last week, and he was really great in that one: 6.0 IP, 2H, 0ER, 2BB, 4Ks. His second half continues to be dominant, as well, as his 1.59 ERA is tops in MLB. If he can keep up something resembling this pace over the last month of the season and into the playoffs, you have to love the Cubs chances of another memorable postseason run.
A reminder: Javy Baez was originally in the lineup this afternoon, despite the apparent head injury yesterday, but he’s since been scratched with left thumb soreness. Shrug. Hopefully, he’s back soon. In Javy’s absence, Mike Freeman takes over shortstop and bats eighth.
Game Info
Chicago Cubs (75-61) at Pittsburgh Pirates (65-72)Â – 3:05 CT on ABC-7, ESPN (out-of-market only) 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: Jake Arrieta (R): 3.36 ERA, 3.85 FIP, 4.05 xFIP; 2.94 K/BB
versus
Pirates: Chad Kuhl (R): 4.54 ERA, 4.02 FIP, 4.62 xFIP; 1.92 K/BB
Pittsburgh Pirates:
- Starling Marte, LF
- Max Moroff, 2B
- Andrew McCutchen, CF
- Josh Bell, 1B
- David Freese, 3B
- Jordan Luplow, RF
- Sean Rodriguez, SS
- Elias Diaz, C
- Chad Kuhl, P
Chicago Cubs Lineup:
- Jon Jay, CF
- Kyle Schwarber, LF
- Kris Bryant, 3B
- Anthony Rizzo, 1B
- Ben Zobrist, 2B
- Alex Avila, C
- Jason Heyward, RF
Javier Baez, SSMike Freeman, SS- Jake Arrieta, P
