NEWSLETTER
I love that the Cubs are basically ending the Pirates’ season right before our eyes. I mean, sure, they didn’t have much life in the NL Central race, but they’ve slipped to 6.5 games out of the Wild Card race, behind six other teams. I’m sure they stand some chance of coming back, but, yeah, it’s pretty much over – especially if the Cubs pull off another W today.
Speaking of which, Tyler Chatwood is making a spot start for the Cubs this evening, with Mike Montgomery heading to the disabled list. It’s been a little over three weeks since his last start, but nothing he’s done since then (mostly mop-up duty in the bullpen) has done much to change our perception about him. Hopefully, he can gain a little edge today, though, by simply not being the pitcher the Pirates’ originally planned for. Shrug. It’s not much, but I’m trying to go into this positively.
Starting opposite Chatwood is Pirates’ righty Joe Musgrove. Musgrove, 25, is having the best season of his career this year, working a 3.49 ERA (3.60 FIP) over 13 starts and 80.0 IP. If he can do that over the course of a full season, you’re talking about a 3-4 WAR pitcher. Not bad. Also not bad? Musgrove has gone at least 7.0 innings in five of his last seven starts, with a 2.63 ERA during that stretch.
He hasn’t really struck anyone out over that stretch, but he also hasn’t given up many free passes and gets a ton of ground balls. Hopefully, the Cubs can get the ball in the air and score on more than a solo home run by the left fielder.
Game Info
Chicago Cubs (71-50) at Pittsburgh Pirates (61-62) – Saturday, August 18th at 6:05 CT 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.
Starting Pitchers
Cubs: Tyler Chatwood (R): 5.06 ERA, 5.52 FIP; 0.94 K/BB
versus
Pirates: Joe Musgrove (R): 3.49 ERA, 3.60 FIP; 3.10 K/BB
Pittsburgh Pirates:
- Corey Dickerson, LF
- Starling Marte, CF
- Gregory Polanco, RF
- Josh Bell, 1B
- Francisco Cervelli, C
- Todd Frazier, 2B
- Colin Moran, 3B
- Adeiny Hechavarria, SS
- Joe Musgrove, P
Chicago Cubs Lineup:
- Ben Zobrist, RF
- Jason Heyward, CF
- David Bote, 3B
- Anthony Rizzo, 1B
- Javy Baez, 2B
- Kyle Schwarber, LF
- Willson Contreras, C
- Tyler Chatwood, P
- Addison Russell, SS
