NEWSLETTER
In what will be the final regular season showdown between the last two National League pennant winners, today’s getaway day matchup pits a rematch of Game 1 of the 2017 NLCS with Clayton Kershaw and Jose Quintana squaring off.
On paper, it’s a mismatch. But because the game isn’t played on paper, this matchup features a pair of starters trying to find their way through a lineup.
Quintana hasn’t won a decision since May 31 and the team has lost each of his last two starts. June hasn’t been kind to Quintana, who has been hit hard (45.3 percent hard-hit rate) and owns a 4.15 ERA and 4.25 FIP in his last four starts. The month started off well enough for Quintana, who struck out 10 and walked just two in 5.2 innings on June 6 against the Phillies. But in three starts since, he has issued six walks and struck out just nine batters in 16 innings. Not a nice look for a guy the Cubs need to get back on track.
The Dodgers counter with Kershaw, who is making his second start since working his way back from a stint on the disabled list. In his first time out, Kershaw allowed two runs on five hits over three innings against the Mets. (Seriously … the Mets? LOL.) Kershaw was limited to 55 pitches and could be on a pitch limit on Thursday, but he’ll probably get a little more rope from Dave Roberts.
Not too many batters hit Kershaw well, but the Cubs’ third and fourth hitters have held their own against the three-time Cy Young winner. Anthony Rizzo owns a .304/.385/.783 slash line in 26 career plate appearances against Kershaw, which includes three homers and two doubles. Willson Contreras is 6-for-11 with a pair of dingers against Kershaw. If the Cubs’ lefty-mashing duo of Albert Almora Jr. and Javy Baez can set the table for Contreras and Rizzo, things could get interesting at Chavez Ravine.
Today is a chance to split a very tough road series.
Game Info
Chicago Cubs (43-35) at Los Angeles Dodgers (43-36) – Thursday, June 28 at 2:10 CT on NBC Sports Chicago, MLB Network (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: Jose Quintana (L): 4.26 ERA, 4.37 FIP; 2.05 K/BB
versus
Dodgers: Clayton Kershaw (L): 2.94 ERA, 3.35 FIP; 4.75 K/BB
Los Angeles Dodgers Lineup:
- Chris Taylor, SS
- Enrique Hernandez, LF
- Justin Turner, 3B
- Matt Kemp, RF
- Max Muncy, 1B
- Cody Bellinger, CF
- Logan Forsythe, 2B
- Austin Barnes, C
- Clayton Kershaw, P
Chicago Cubs Lineup:
- Albert Almora Jr., CF
- Javy Baez, 2B
- Willson Contreras, C
- Anthony Rizzo, 1B
- Addison Russell, SS
- David Bote, 3B
- Ian Happ, RF
- Kyle Schwarber, LF
- Jose Quintana, P
