Pre-Gamin’: Cubs at Dodgers (9:10 CT) – Lineups, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

Late last night – or early this morning, depending on your time zone – the Chicago Cubs put an end to their five-game losing streak, and there was much rejoicing throughout the land.

Winning a game (yes, a single game) feels good for the soul. Doesn’t it? It’s certainly a much better vibe than staying up late and watching a losing effort. But you know what’s better than one win? Consecutive wins. And tonight, the Cubs get a shot at two-in-a-row as they get their first chance at taking the season series from the Dodgers.

Kyle Hendricks takes the bump searching to break out of a personal mini funk. Hendricks is 1-3 in June with a 5.40 ERA and a 5.27 FIP behind some unsightly peripherals. An unexpected battle with his control has led Hendricks to post a 14.1 BB%, which is borderline unthinkable, even for a short stretch. Perhaps a matchup with the Dodgers is what the doctor ordered? Including postseason play, active Dodgers are slashing .170/223/.307 in 95 career plate appearances against Hendricks. The right-hander has a career 25.3 K% and 6.3 BB% against Los Angeles. More of that, please.

Alex Wood sits on the other side of the ledger looking to get the Dodgers back in the win column. After a rough start to the month in which he gave up 10 runs in two starts, Wood has settled in to win back-to-back games, allowing just three runs in 11.2 innings of work.

Worth noting: Javy Baez is 4-for-8 with two home runs in his career against Wood, so let’s see if he can keep the good times rolling on offense after his huge game last night.

Game Info

Chicago Cubs (43-34) at Los Angeles Dodgers (42-36) – Wednesday, June 27 at 9:10 CT on NBC Sports Chicago-Plus, ESPN (out-of-market), 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): 3.73 ERA, 4.60 FIP; 10 ERA, 4.19 FIP; 2.56 K/BB

versus

Dodgers: Alex Wood (L): 4.13 ERA, 3.32 FIP; 4.69 K/BB

Los Angeles Dodgers Lineup:

1. Joc Pederson, LF
2. Max Muncy, 1B
3. Justin Turner, 3B
4. Cody Bellinger, CF
5. Enrique Hernandez, SS
6. Yasmani Grandal, C
7. Yasiel Puig, RF
8. Logan Forsythe, 2B
9. Alex Wood, P

Chicago Cubs Lineup:

1. Albert Almora Jr., CF
2. Jason Heyward, RF
3. Javy Baez, 2B
4. Willson Contreras, C
5. Ben Zobrist, LF
6. Addison Russell, SS
7. David Bote, 3B
8. Ian Happ, 1B
9. Kyle Hendricks, P