I’m afraid to start writing this Pre-Gamin’ post, less it be neutered by rain, mold, bullpen sessions, pitching changes, wardrobe changes, etc. But alas, we need somewhere to discuss the game before and as it’s happening, so here’s that post.
Anyway, yes, because of the rainout yesterday, the Washington Nationals were able to swap their originally scheduled Game Four starter, Tanner Roark, out in exchange for their Game One starter, Stephen Strasburg. While the move makes plenty of sense, the way the Nationals went about it makes next to none.
But in the end, I’m sorta done with this drama – so if you want more, check out any of the following posts (in reverse chronological order):
- Okay, So Now We Ask: Is Missing Tanner Roark Such a Nightmare for the Cubs?
- NOW WHAT? REPORT: Stephen Strasburg Will Start for Nationals Today (UPDATE: Officially Happening)
- How Teammates Handle a Player Who Can’t Go, Nats Haven’t Hit, and Other Bullets
- Nationals Say Every Pitcher is Available Today EXCEPT Stephen Strasburg (UPDATE: Psyche?)
- Big Fat Ball of Crud: Game Four of the NLDS Postponed to Tomorrow (UPDATE: Still Roark?)
Stephen Strasburg is a more talented pitcher than Roark – by about a mile – and he’s got next to no usable splits (whereas Roark was weak against lefties), but the Cubs did just see Strasburg, so maybe they’ll have him figured out this time around.
In any case, the Cubs are still sending Jake Arrieta to the mound, and here’s what I had to say about him yesterday:
Opposing
RoarkStrasburg and the Nationals is a hopefully-well-rested-and-healthy Jake Arrieta. Arrieta, you’ll recall, was the literal pitcher of the month in August, but went on to miss time in September with a hamstring injury that affected his mechanics and, thus, abilities.
With the Nationals pitching change, the Cubs decided to plug Jason Heyward into the order (he had a bad history against Roark), knocking Ben Zobrist from right to left field and Kyle Schwarber to the bench.
Game Info
Washington Nationals (1-2) at Chicago Cubs (2-1) – 3:08 CT on 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: Jake Arrieta (R): 3.53 ERA, 4.16 FIP, 4.11 xFIP; 2.96 K/BB
versus
Nationals: Stephen Strasburg (R): 2.52 ERA, 2.72 FIP, 3.27 xFIP; 4.34 K/BB
Washington Nationals:
- Trea Turner, SS
- Jayson Werth, LF
- Bryce Harper, RF
- Ryan Zimmerman, 1B
- Daniel Murphy, 2B
- Anthony Rendon, 3B
- Matt Wieters, C
- Michael Taylor, CF
- Stephen Strasburg, P
Chicago Cubs Lineup:
- Jon Jay, CF
- Kris Bryant, 3B
- Anthony Rizzo, 1B
- Willson Contreras, C
- Ben Zobrist, LF
- Addison Russell, SS
- Jason Heyward, RF
- Javy Baez, 2B
- Jake Arrieta, P