Pre-Gamin’: Cubs at Indians (5:10 CT) – Lineups, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

We’ll have to see if this one actually gets played – there’s rain in the area – but I hear the Cubs like tarps in Cleveland anyway.

Light rain expected during game but not heavy enough to delay. As of now, starting on time.

— Mark Gonzales (@MDGonzales) April 24, 2018

Tyler Chatwood is starting for the Cubs this evening, but he’s coming off a rough start against the Cardinals at Wrigley Field. In that one, he allowed just two earned runs on one hit … but lasted just 4.2 innings, because he walked and struck out a combined 14 of the 22 batters he faced (that’ll drive your pitch count right up). He’ll have to be a lot more efficient if he hopes to succeed tonight. Fortunately, if this game does get underway, the bad weather should allow him to pound the zone early and often.

Starting opposite Chatwood is the Indians 33-year-old righty, Josh Tomlin. Tomlin’s last appearance actually came out of the bullpen in Minesotta, but before that he made a 5.0 IP, 4H, 0ER, 2BB, 3K start against the Tigers. As we explored earlier, he’s had reverse splits for his career, but the gap has closed in recent years. Hopefully, the two righties at the top – Albert Almora and Javy Baez – can continue doing damage.

And remember, this lineup is without Kris Bryant and Ben Zobrist right now, and Anthony Rizzo only recently came off the DL. The other hitters will have to pick up the slack, if the Cubs are going to keep up the momentum they’ve been building over the past week or so.

Game Info

Chicago Cubs (10-9) at Cleveland Indians (12-8) – 5:10 CT on WGN, MLBN (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.

• The Series Preview lives here.
• The Lineup Discussion lives here.

Starting Pitchers

Cubs: Tyler Chatwood (R): 4.60 ERA, 4.39 FIP; 1.29 K/BB

versus

Indians: Josh Tomlin (R): 8.00 ERA, 9.73 FIP; 1.00 K/BB

Cleveland Indians Lineup:

1. Francisco Lindor, SS
2. Jason Kipnis, 2B
3. Jose Ramirez, 3B
4. Yonder Alonso, 1B
5. Edwin Encarnacion, DH
6. Tyler Naquin, RF
7. Roberto Perez, C
8. Bradley Zimmer, CF
9. Rajai Davis, LF

Chicago Cubs Lineup:

1. Albert Almora Jr., CF
2. Javy Baez, 2B
3. Anthony Rizzo, 1B
4. Willson Contreras, C
5. Tommy La Stella, 3B
6. Kyle Schwarber, DH
7. Addison Russell, SS
8. Jason Heyward, RF
9. Ian Happ, LF