NEWSLETTER
Here we are. The final three games of the season with the division on the line. This is the third straight chance for the Cubs to carry their first place position from September into the postseason after collapses in each of the last two years – they failed in 2018 (lost it in game 163 to the Brewers) and in 2019 (I don’t want to talk about it). Third time’s the charm?
If only they were playing a White Sox team that had already clinched their division things might’ve been easier, but they’ve dropped five in a row, themselves, while the Twins have won 4 straight, overtaking them for first place. So instead, we have two teams desperately battling to win their divisions with just three games left. That will not make for an easy series. I guess it will make for must-watch television, though.
Go Cubs.
We’re Going Streaking
The Chicago Cubs (32-25) have lost three straight games to the Pirates. Enough said.
The Chicago White Sox (34-23) have lost five games in a row and six of their last seven, all to the Cleveland Indians. Which. Lol.
Game Times and Broadcasts Info
•  Friday, September 25th at 7:10 CT on MARQ, ESPN2 (out-of-market), 670 The Score
•  Saturday, September 26th at 6:10 CT on MARQ, 670 The Score
•  Sunday, September 27th at 2:10 CT on MARQ, TBS (out-of-market), 670 The Score
Pitching Matchups
Game 1: Yu Darvish (R) v. Dylan Cease (R)
Game 2:Â Jon Lester (L) v. Dane Dunning (R)
Game 3:Â TBD v. Reynaldo Lopez (R)
North Side
•  C – Willson Contreras
•  1B – Anthony Rizzo
•  2B – Jason Kipnis
•  3B – David Bote
•  SS – Javy Baez
•  LF – Kyle Schwarber
•  CF – Ian Happ?
•  RF – Jason Heyward
•  DH – Victor Caratini
Unavailable:Â Kris Bryant, Daniel Descalso, Tyler Chatwood, Ildemaro Vargas, Rowan Wick, James Norwood, Brad Wieck
South Side
•  C – Yasmani Grandal
•  1B – Jose Abreu
•  2B – Nick Madrigal
•  3B – Yoan Moncada
•  SS – Tim Anderson
•  LF – Eloy Jimenez?
•  CF – Luis Robert
•  RF – Nomar Mazara
•  DH – Edwin Encarnacion
Unavailable:Â Alex Colome, Jimmy Lambert, Evan Marshall, Leury Garvia
Keep An Eye Out For …
Cubs Pitcher: Yu Darvish is easily the guy to watch here. Not only does he have an NL Cy Young race to sew up (with a good enough performance he could really put himself in the right position), it’s also a huge game for him to win and look healthy/strong. His next start is going to be Game 1 of a three-game playoff series, so the Cubs need him to be sharp and on-top of his game.
Cubs Player: Anthony Rizzo might be the only Cub heating up on offense. He’s currently working on a five-game hitting streak, including two homers and a double and is actually hitting .313/.421/.563 (155 wRC+) with a 10.5% walk rate and 7.9% strikeout rate since September 15th. It’s an arbitrary cutoff, but it’s one I like.
White Sox Pitcher: Dylan Cease. Talk about the perfect opportunity to face your former team. Cease is standing on the mound – at home – with a chance to dash the Cubs division hopes while beating their best pitcher and elevating his own team back into first place in their division … Or, you know … he could blow it, look awful, help vindicate the Cubs, lose another game on the Twins so close to the end of the season while the Cubs inch closer to clinching. Either way. Either way.
For real, though, Cease’s last start against the Reds featured 7 walks in 3.o innings pitched. And the start before that? He walked 5 in 4.2 IP against the Twins. He’s not right right now.
I know we all want the #Cubs to string together hits and be aggressive, but patience might actually be the way to go tonight against Dylan Cease.
His last two starts:
@ CIN: 3.0 IP, 7 BBs
v. MIN: 4.2 IP, 5 BBs12 walks in his last 7.2 IP … maybe take a couple. Just sayin.
— Michael Cerami (@Michael_Cerami) September 25, 2020
White Sox Player: Eloy Jimenez has been a beast for the White Sox this season, slashing .296/.332/.559 (140 wRC+) and is even working on a four-game hitting streak that features two doubles and a homer. However, he also left yesterday’s game with a game with right foot soreness after sliding into home plate in the top of the 7th inning. I’m not entirely clear on if he’ll be available tonight (or impacted by the injury), but that seems like a significant development before this huge series.
