The Cubs were presented with more than one disadvantage when last night’s game was started, stopped, and ultimately rained out, but whatever. It’s in the past and nothing’s going to change that. All they can do now is hope for the best today and try to reach the Brewers series with at least a 3.0 game lead over Milwaukee.
And they’ll certainly need some luck in game one. Max Scherzer, having yet another brilliant season, is taking on Jamie Garcia. And he’ll do it with a lineup including Bryce Harper (133 wRC+), Anthony Rendon (126 wRC+), Trea Turner (102 wRC+, but 3.9 WAR), Juan Soto (148 wRC+), and one of baseball’s top prospects, Victor Robles. Oh, and he’ll get to face a lineup without Kris Bryant, Javier Baez, Jason Heyward, or Kyle Schwarber.
I’m not trying to be a Debbie-downer, but given the opposing starter, the opposing lineup, the Cubs starter, and the Cubs fractured lineup … well, baseball’s gonna have to baseball to help the Cubs win this one.
Game Info
Chicago Cubs (83-57) at Washington Nationals (69-72) – Saturday, September 8th at 2:05 CT on CSNC, 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: Jaime Garcia (L):Â 5.93 ERA, 5.22 FIP; 1.82 K/BB
versus
Nationals: Max Scherzer (R):Â 2.28 ERA, 2.73 FIP; 5.65 K/BB
Washington Nationals:
- Trea Turner, SS
- Anthony Rendon, 3B
- Bryce Harper, RF
- Mark Reynolds, 1B
- Juan Soto, LF
- Victor Robles, CF
- Matt Wieters, C
- Adrian Sanchez, 2B
- Max Scherzer, P
Chicago Cubs Lineup:
- Daniel Murphy, 2B
- Tommy La Stella, 3B
- Anthony Rizzo, 1B
- Ben Zobrist, RF
- Albert Almora Jr., CF
- Willson Contreras, C
- Addison Russell, SS
- Jaime Garcia, P
- Ian Happ, LF