With a win today, the Cubs can set two new high-water marks for the year: first, they can extend their winning streak to a season-best six games and second, they can move to seven games over .500 for the first time this season.
And in doing so, they can sweep the White Sox and ensure that the cross-town cup stays on the North Side of the City (the Cubs won three out of four last season, so ensuring – at least – a tie this year would keep it with the Cubs).
And they’ve got Kyle Hendricks going for them today, who’s been absolutely phenomenal this season, and especially so here in these past few starts:
4/26: 7.0 IP, 4H, 0ER, 0BB, 5K
5/01: 7.2 IP, 4H, 3ER, 2BB, 5K
5/07: 8.0 IP, 6H, 2ER, 0BB, 3K
Maybe he can go the distance today against the Sox.
Starting opposite Hendricks is the former Nationals top pitching prospect, Lucas Giolito. Giolito hasn’t quite figured it out at the Major League level yet (career 5.00 ERA, 6.00 FIP), but he’s still just 23 and this is already the third season he’s thrown a pitch in MLB. He’ll get there … just hopefully not today.
His last time out, he lasted just 4.0 IP against the Pirates, surrendering 4 earned runs on 7 hits and 2 walks. Let’s hope for a repeat performance of that and see if the Cubs can get another 8+ runs.
Game Info
Chicago White Sox (9-27) at Chicago Cubs (21-15) – 1:20 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.
Starting Pitchers
Cubs: Kyle Hendricks (R): 3.02 ERA, 4.80 FIP; 3.56 K/BB
versus
White Sox: Lucas Giolito (R): 7.25 ERA, 6.02 FIP; 6.91 K/BB
Chicago White Sox Lineup:
- Adam Engel, CF
- Yolmer Sanchez, 2B
- Jose Abreu, 1B
- Nicky Delmonico, LF
- Matt Davidson, 3B
- Daniel Palka, RF
- Tim Anderson, SS
- Omar Narvaez, C
- Lucas Giolito, P
Chicago Cubs Lineup:
- Ben Zobrist, RF
- Kris Bryant, 3B
- Anthony Rizzo, 1B
- Willson Contrereas, C
- Javy Baez, 2B
- Kyle Schwarber, LF
- Addison Russell, SS
- Ian Happ, CF
- Kyle Hendricks, P