Series Preview: White Sox at Cubs, May 11 – May 13, 2018

Hello, South-siders!

The Cubs are hosting the White Sox today for the first three games of a six-game season-long series, which, as far as I can tell is the first time it hasn’t been back-to-back two-gamers in three years.

The Cubs won three out of four last year, so let’s see if they can keep the cup (it’s like, an actual thing, right?) on the North-Side of town.

We’re Going Streaking

The Chicago Cubs (19-15) just swept the Marlins after being swept by the Cardinals. But I get the sense that their offensive takeoff against the Marlins might last a little longer this time.

The Chicago White Sox (9-25) have the fewest wins in all of baseball – they’re not even double-digits yet – and are in last place of the NL Central. I thought they’d be a little better than this this year, but next year still looks bright. Also, hey, one more top draft pick before you start being good is pretty awesome. It’s the Cubs version of Ian Happ, who they took in the top ten back in 2015.

Game Times and Broadcasts Info

Friday, May 7 at 1:20 CT on NBC Sports Chicago, MLBN (out-of-market only), 670 The Score

Saturday, May 8 at 1:20 on ABC-7, 670 The Score

Sunday, May 9 at 1:20 on WGN, MLBN (out-of-market only), 670 The Score

Chicago Cubs

Probable Pitchers:

Tyler Chatwood (3.31 ERA, 4.26 FIP; 1.19 K/BB)

Jon Lester (2.82 ERA, 4.81 FIP; 1.82 K/BB)

Kyle Hendricks (3.02 ERA, 4.80 FIP; 3.56 K/BB)

Active Depth Chart:

C – Willson Contreras

1B – Anthony Rizzo

2B – Javy Baez

3B – Kris Bryant

SS – Addison Russell

LF – Kyle Schwarber/Ben Zobrist

CF – Albert Almora/Ian Happ

RF – Ben Zobrist*

*Jason Heyward is on the 7-Day concussion DL

Chicago White Sox

Probable Pitchers:

Carson Fulmer (5.02 ERA, 6.44 FIP; 5.81 K/BB)

James Shields (5.14 ERA, 4.38 FIP; 5.49 K/BB)

Lucas Giolito (7.25 ERA, 6.02 FIP; 6.91 K/BB)

Active Depth Chart:

C – Wellington Castillo

1B – Jose Abreu

2B – Leury Garcia*

3B – Yolmer Sanchez

SS – Tim Anderson

LF – Nicky Delmonico

CF – Adam Engel

RF – Trayce Thompson

*Yoan Moncada is on the 10-Day DL with left hamstring tightness.

Keep an Eye Out For …

Cubs Pitcher: Carl Edwards Jr. I hate to jinx him, but jinxes aren’t real, so I’m going to talk about how awesome he’s been. So far this season, Edwards’ 0.8 WAR is third best in baseball, behind only Josh Hader of the Brewers (1.1 WAR, but 5.0 more IP) and Aroldis Chapman of the Yankees (1.1 WAR). His K-rate ranks among the top four, his AVG against among the top 10, and his awesomeness among the top #1. Edwards has probably already “broken out” into a late-inning reliever, but he’s taking his game to another level.

Cubs Player: Kyle Schwarber. With three straight righties on the mound (each of whom does not seem to like ground balls), I think Kyle Schwarber is in store for a huge weekend.

White Sox Pitcher: James Shields is starting for the Sox tomorrow, and although he’s just a shell of his former self, I am always – 100% – worried when facing former aces. Sometimes, those guys can find it for a day and dominate a lineup.

White Sox Player Offense: Although the White Sox have struggled, they actually have five players with above average offensive production this season. HOWEVA, one of those guys, Yoan Moncada (135 wRC+) is injured right now and the other, Matt Davidson (149 wRC+) is their DH – and those are, by far, the top two. So, we’ll see if the Cubs’ pitchers can’t take advantage this weekend and shut their offense down.