Pre-Gamin’: Indians at Cubs (6:05 CT) – Lineups, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

Later tonight, the Cleveland Indians will return to Wrigley Field for their third game against the Cubs this season. The teams split their first two contests in Cleveland earlier this year, so the season-series winner will have to take both in Chicago to claim 2018 dominance.

Trevor Bauer is starting for the Indians tonight, and whatever you think of him, there’s no doubting how good he’s been this year. His ERA ranks 15th best in MLB, his FIP ranks 9th best, and he’s been extremely tough on both right and left-handed hitters. He’s not without his weaknesses though. For example, Bauer has allowed plenty of hard contact this year (37.9%), even if most of it has been on the ground. And while his walk rate isn’t terrible, 8.5% is pretty close to league average, so some patience could go a long way. It’ll definitely be a tough matchup, though, so prepare for that.

Starting opposite Bauer is Tyler Chatwood in his ninth start of the season. Chatwood’s last start featured only two walks(!) so hopefully, that’s something he can build off tonight. Also notable: Chatwood faced the Indians earlier this season, and he went 6.0 IP in that one, allowing just 4 hits and one earned run against five strikeouts and five walks. Clearly, he was still wild, but he did manage to make it work in what was ultimately his second best start of the year (by game score).

Game time is 6:05 tonight and Ben Zobrist is leading off for the Cubs.

Game Info

Cleveland Indians (22-23) at Chicago Cubs (25-19) – 6:05 CT on WGN, ESPN 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): 3.14 ERA, 4.08 FIP, 1.18 K/BB

versus

Indians: Trevor Bauer (R): 2.59 ERA, 2.78 FIP; 3.19 K/BB

Cleveland Indians Lineup:

1. Francisco Lindor, SS
2. Michael Brantley, LF
3. Jose Ramirez, 3B
4. Yonder Alonso, 1B
5. Melky Cabrera, RF
6. Jason Kipnis, 2B
7. Roberto Perez, C
8. Greg Allen, CF
9. Trevor Bauer, P

Chicago Cubs Lineup:

1. Ben Zobrist, RF
2. Albert Almora Jr., CF
3. Kris Bryant, 3B
4. Anthony Rizzo, 1B
5. Willson Contreras, C
6. Kyle Schwarber, LF
7. Javy Baez, 2B
8. Addison Russell, SS
9. Tyler Chatwood, P