Yesterday’s win over the Brewers was obviously the highlight of the day – especially, because the Cubs have now guaranteed a series-split and *still* have a chance to take three out of four from Milwaukee in their home ball park before returning to Chicago for the first time this year – but I think the Yu Darvish bounce back was actually my favorite part.
After a rough (and abbreviated) first start in Miami with an oddly high number of walks and a peculiarly low number of strikeouts, Darvish went six innings against the Brewers, striking out nine and walking one. It was just what the doctor ordered, and looked especially good after Jon Lester bounced back from his rough first start just two games earlier.
And now, it’s Jose Quintana’s turn.
In Quintana’s first start of the year (also against Miami), he managed to go 6.0 full innings, but it wasn’t because he was necessarily earning it. Facing 27 batters total, Quintana walked more (4) than he struck out (2) and allowed six runs, all earned, on six hits. To say he could use a bounce back is a bit of an understatement, so let’s see if he can pull it off.
Starting opposite Quintana is the Brewers’ de facto ace, Chase Anderson. Anderson has already made two starts this season, but the first (6.0 IP, 1H, 3BB, 6Ks) was MUCH better than the second (4.0, 8H, 4ER, 0BB, 5Ks). Sure, walking none and striking out five in four innings is great, but giving up eight hits, including three homers (!), really negates that. Hopefully, the Cubs can put as much hurt on the ball as the Cardinals did (46.7% hard-hit rate) and launch some homers off Anderson.
Game Info
Chicago Cubs (4-4) at Milwaukee Brewers (5-4) – 1:10 CT on WGN, 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 (R): 9.00 ERA, 4.30 FIP; 0.50 K/BB
versus
Brewers: Chase Anderson (R): 3.60 ERA, 5.86 FIP; 3.67 K/BB
Milwaukee Brewers Lineup:
- Lorenzo Cain, CF
- Domingo Santana, RF
- Ryan Braun, LF
- Jesus Aguilar, 1B
- Hernan Perez, 3B
- Manny Pina, C
- Jonathan Villar, 2B
- Orlando Arcia, SS
- Chase Anderson, P
Chicago Cubs Lineup:
- Albert Almora, CF
- Kris Bryant, 3B
- Ben Zobrist, 2B
- Willson Contreras, C
- Kyle Schwarber, LF
- Addison Russell, SS
- Victor Caratini, 1B
- Jason Heyward, RF
- Jose Quintana, P