NEWSLETTER
There are just seven games left this year. Can you believe that? We’re in the final week of the 2020 MLB season.
Part of me is thankful (and a little shocked) we made it this far despite the pandemic, and part of me is starting to worry about the teams beneath the Cubs in the division. We’ve been burned at the end of September two years in a row and I’d very much like NOT to go for three.
Fortunately, the Cubs have four games against the Pirates, who have been pretty awful this season – particularly against the Cubs, who’ve won 5 of 6 so far. The Cubs then get three against the White Sox, who may be in something close to rest mode – even against the Cubs – with their division locked up by the weekend. I’d rather it not come down to that, but it might.
I think we’ll all feel a lot better if the Cubs just take care of the Pirates this week, setting us up for a stress-free weekend series on the South Side. Brett dug further into the NL Central race earlier this morning if you want specifics:
Scoreboard Watching: Central Tightens, Cubs Magic Number, NL Playoff Standings, More https://t.co/KYBjhs7Jpp pic.twitter.com/HUA4N7Va5b
— Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) September 21, 2020
We’re Going Streaking
The Chicago Cubs (31-22) just dropped 2 in a row as the Cardinals found their way to a four-game winning stream. That means the lead in the NL Central is down to just 3.5 games over St. Louis and 4.5 over Milwaukee and Cincinnati. It’s not over yet!
The Pittsburgh Pirates (15-38) have lost four in a row and own a -88 run differential. It would be just swell if they let the Cubs walk all over them this week.
Game Times and Broadcasts Info
• Monday, September 21st at 6:05 CT on MARQ, 670 The Score
• Tuesday, September 22nd at 6:05 CT on MARQ, 670 The Score
• Wednesday, September 23rd at 6:05 CT on MARQ, MLBN, 670 The Score
• Thursday, September 24th at 12:35 on MARQ, 670 The Score
Pitching Matchups
Game 1: Jon Lester (L) v. JT Brubaker (R)
Game 2: TBD v. Steven Brault (L)
Game 3: Kyle Hendricks (R) v. Trevor Williams (R)
Game 4: Alec Mills (R) v. Chad Kuhl (R)
Chicago Cubs
• C – Willson Contreras
• 1B – Anthony Rizzo
• 2B – Jason Kipnis
• 3B – Kris Bryant
• SS – Javy Baez
• LF – Kyle Schwarber
• CF – Ian Happ
• RF – Jason Heyward
• DH – Victor Caratini/David Bote
Unavailable: Jose Quintana(?), Rowan, Wick, Brad Wieck, James Norwood, Tyler Chatwood, Daniel Descalso
Pittsburgh Pirates
• C – Jacob Stallings
• 1B – Josh Bell
• 2B – Adam Frazier
• 3B – Ke’Bryan Hayes
• SS – Erik Gonzalez
• LF – Bryan Reynolds
• CF – Cole Tucker
• RF – Gregory Polanco
• DH – Colin Moran
Unavailable: Kevin Newman, Cole Tucker, Keone Kela, Kyle Crick, Tyler Bashlor, Yacksel Rios, Anthony Alford, Phillip Evans, Clay Holmes, Nick Burdi, Michael Feliz, Luke Maile, Kevin Kramer, Chris Archer, Jameson Taillon
Keep An Eye Out For …
Cubs Pitcher: Adbert Alzolay could be called upon again to start against the Pirates in Game 2. And while the degree of his success matters a little less for this season (which is obviously our focus at the moment), I still have one eye on that 2021 rotation. If Alzolay wants to claim one of the … three potentially wide open spots he’s going to have to help himself this year. The Pirates are the single worst team in MLB against right-handed pitching (58 wRC+), so this would be a good time to take advantage.
Cubs Player: I don’t know what to say or whom to call out. It has been very, very bad lately.
The #Cubs offense over the last two weeks has been so bad that Kris Bryant, who's very noticeably struggling, has actually been the third BEST hitter on the team. pic.twitter.com/7k9nJXYOQP
— Michael Cerami (@Michael_Cerami) September 21, 2020
Pirates Pitcher: Steven Brault may have lasted just 3.0 innings against the Cubs back in early August, but he just tossed a complete game against the Cardinals his last time out: 9.0 IP, 2H, 1ER, 2BB, 8Ks. Worse, the Cubs have had a lot of issues with lefties this season, and Brault faced the minimum in those 3.0 innings against the Cubs earlier this year (he was still ramping up). Hopefully, Jose Martinez, who’s returned from South Bend, is ready to get going against lefties. He was their big addition at the deadline and so far he has not been able to contribute.
Pirates Player: Jose Bell has been the Pirates best hitter over the last 30 days and he’s slashing .242/.343/.418 (103 wRC+). So the Cubs pitchers really better throw some good freakin’ games.
