There’s almost certainly no way this is directly correlated, but hopefully Albert Almora finds his way into today’s game, because … LOL:
#Cubs this season (including today)
Games Almora starts: 19-10
Games Almora plays, but doesn't start: 7-6
Games Almora doesn't appear in: 0-5— Christopher Kamka (@ckamka) May 25, 2018
And hopefully Jose Quintana has that little extra zip on his fastball that has helped him in his best starts this season. Like his last start, for example, when he lasted 7.0 scoreless innings allowing just one hit and four walks against seven strikeouts. Sure, the Giants (100 wRC+) are a better offense than the Reds (89 wRC+), but Quintana still looked good and is usually one of the more consistent pitchers out there. Maybe he’ll begin to find that rhythm today.
Starting opposite Quintana is Giants righty Chris Stratton. Stratton hasn’t really been all that impressive this season and hasn’t gone more than 5.0 innings in any of his last three starts (during which he’s allowed a combined 13 runs). Stratton has also struck out only one batter in each of his last two games, so hopefully the Cubs can make some contact and push plenty of runs across early (which could, in turn, allow Quintana to really punish the strike zone with that heater).
A win today wins the series.
Game Info
San Francisco Giants (24-27) at Chicago Cubs (26-21) – 6:15 CT on FOX, 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): 4.47 ERA, 4.68 FIP; 1.80 K/BB
versus
Giants: Chris Stratton (R): 4.92 ERA, 4.41 FIP; 1.75 K/BB
San Francisco Giants Lineup:
- Gorkys Hernandez, CF
- Andrew McCutchen, RF
- Evan Longoria, 3B
- Brandon Belt, 1B
- Mac Williamson, LF
- Brandon Crawford, SS
- Nick Hundley, C
- Kelby Tomlinson, 2B
- Chris Stratton, P
Chicago Cubs Lineup:
- Ben Zobrist, 2B
- Kyle Schwarber, LF
- Kris Bryant, 3B
- Anthony Rizzo, 1B
- Willson Contreras, C
- Ian Happ, CF
- Javy Baez, SS
- Jason Heyward, RF
- Jose Quintana, P