Pre-Gamin’: Pirates at Cubs (1:20 CT) – Lineups, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

The Cubs have already won this series, so anything they get today is just gravy … but I still really want them to win. And whaddaya know, they’re getting to face Ivan Nova, fresh of the disabled list, today instead of the originally slated starter, Joe Musgrove.

Nova, 31, has never been a stellar pitcher, but he’s struggling with his results more than usual this season (4.96 ERA), even though his peripherals are right in line with his career (4.27 FIP). I don’t think it’s necessary going to stay that way though, because his batted ball/contact data looks fine and he’s getting as many ground balls as ever (50.7%). He is struggling against left-handers this season (.385 wOBA) though, so maybe the Cubs southpaws can do some damage.

Also of note: Nova doesn’t ever strike anyone out, but he doesn’t walk guys either. So prepare to be at the mercy of the BABIP gods today.

Kyle Hendricks is starting for the Cubs today and he’s coming off one of his weaker starts of the season. However, once we dug into the numbers behind the numbers, we learned that it probably wasn’t all that bad. Hendricks was clearly dealing with some command issues – he even said he’s be making a slight adjustment before this start – and even lost some velocity – though that could’ve been related – but he’s always one of the most well-prepared, mindful pitchers in baseball. If there was something to fix between starts, I’d expect him to do it.

A win today would make it five in a row!

Game Info

Pittsburgh Pirates (31-33) at Chicago Cubs (37-24) – 1:20 on WGN, 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: Kyle Hendricks (R): 3.59 ERA, 4.48 FIP; 3.35 K/BB

    versus

    Pirates: Ivan Nova (R): 4.96 ERA, 4.27 FIP; 4.70 K/BB

    Pittsburgh Pirates Lineup:

    1. Jordy Mercer, SS
    2. Austin Meadows, RF
    3. Starling Marte, CF
    4. Francisco Cervelli, C
    5. David Freese, 3B
    6. Josh Bell, 1B
    7. Gregory, P
    8. Sean Rodriguez, 2B
    9. Ivan Nova, P

    Chicago Cubs Lineup:

    1. Javy Baez, 2B
    2. Jason Heyward, RF
    3. Kris Bryant, 3B
    4. Anthony Rizzo, 1B
    5. Ian Happ, CF
    6. Kyle Schwarber, LF
    7. Addison Russell, SS
    8. Chris Gimenez, C
    9. Kyle Hendricks, P

    written by

    Michael Cerami began covering the Chicago Cubs for Bleacher Nation as a part-time contributor in 2015. One year later, he joined Bleacher Nation full-time, covering the Chicago Cubs and Major League Baseball. Today, Michael runs Bleacher Nation, contributing as a writer (Cubs, MLB) and an editor for all sections of the site, including the Chicago Bears, Bulls, and Blackhawks, as well as MLB, NBA, NHL, and NFL. In 2019, Michael was the co-host of NBC Sports Chicago's Cubs Post-Game Show Outside the Ivy. You can find him on Twitter/X @Michael_Cerami

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