NEWSLETTER
The Chicago Cubs might be three games over .500 for the first time this year, but they still haven’t won three games in a row.
Fortunately, today’s the perfect day to do it, because a win would help them secure their second four-game series win over the Brewers this season. And starting the year off at 6-2 against one of the biggest threats in the NL Central is not bad at all.
To get there, they’re going to need a good start from Jose Quintana, who hasn’t really been himself this season, particularly in the walk department where his 12.0% walk rate is nearly twice his career average. With that said, he did manage to issue just one walk and seven strikeouts against the Rockies his last time out, so maybe that’ll be a sign he can keep the good times rolling:
Early bird notes: #Cubs starting pitchers have recorded 4 straight quality starts with a 1.38 ERA and .170 opponent BA in that stretch. In 1st 19 Gs, starters had a 5.27 ERA and 7 QS
— Carrie Muskat (@CarrieMuskat) April 28, 2018
Starting opposite Quintana for the Brewers is Junior Guerra. As we discussed in the lineup post, Guerra is another reverse-split righty (seriously, it’s getting weird how many the Cubs have seen), which makes him a solid matchup for Albert Almora and Javy Baez to keep doing their thing. Both guys are working on ten-game hit streaks too, so I hope they can keep it up.
As far as recent starts, Guerra, 33, worked five scoreless innings against the Marlins last time out and 5.2 scoreless innings against the Reds before that. In fact, Guerra has only allowed one earned run this entire season (3 starts, 16.0 IP), and it was to the Cardinals way back on April 11. Perhaps the Cubs can help him out with that.
Game time is 1:20, Ben Zobrist and Kris Bryant are back, and it looks pretty nice outside. Let’s go, Cubs.
Game Info
Milwaukee Brewers (16-11) at Chicago Cubs (13-10) – 1:20 CT on ABC-7, 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.
Starting Pitchers
Cubs: Jose Quintana (L): 7.78 ERA, 5.22 FIP; 1.45 K/BB
versus
Brewers: Junior Guerra (R): 0.56 ERA, 2.81 FIP; 2.50 K/BB
Milwaukee Brewers Lineup:
- Lorenzo Cain, CF
- Christian Yelich, LF
- Ryan Braun, 1B
- Domingo Santana, RF
- Hernan Perez, 3B
- Jonathan Villar, 2B
- Manny Pina, C
- Orlando Arcia, SS
- Junior Guerra, P
Chicago Cubs Lineup:
- Albert Almora Jr., CF
- Javy Baez, SS
- Kris Bryant, 3B
- Anthony Rizzo, 1B
- Willson Contreras, C
- Kyle Schwarber, LF
- Ben Zobrist, 2B
- Jason Heyward, RF
- Jose Quintana, P
